Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Pirates of the Caribbean (oh but I wish I did. Jack Sparrow yum) nor am I making any money from this story. I do however hold all rights to Katherine Darcy and any other original characters that may appear in this fanfic.

Chapter 1: A Very Long Day

Captain Jack Sparrow stood at the helm of his beloved ship, the Black Pearl. His dark eyes stared out across the endless waves. Anamaria stood at his side. She squinted as something caught her eyes off their starboard side. "Cap'n," she cried, "Look!"

Jack turned his head and saw what appeared to be a young woman floating face down on a large piece of wood. Well, at least from the waist up. From the waist down she was submerged in the Caribbean waters. Sighing, Jack began to strip immediately. "Bloody hell," he cursed, "Why do I always get the damsels in distress?! Mr. Cotton, take the helm. Get us as close as possible. Man overboard," he yelled racing towards the rail, "Prepare a line!" he ordered before diving over the railing and into the water. Jack jumped onto the railing and did a perfect swan dive over the side of the ship swimming to the lady's side.

The girl appeared to be unconscious but somehow she was holding onto the plank upon which she lay so tightly her knuckles were white. Jack was surprised that she was still breathing let alone had enough strength to hold onto the plank that she was sprawled across. Underneath her head the plank she rested on was stained with blood. Jack wrapped an arm around her waist seeing that her heavy dress was weighing her down. "Hold on just a little bit longer, luv," Jack told the woman hoping that some part of her could hear him, "I've got to get rid of some of this weight." Jack pulled his dagger free from his belt and swiftly cut open the back of her dress and the sleeves allowing the heavy garment to sink to the bottom. Jack attempted to pull her away from the board but she held on tight letting out a soft moan.

"Let go now, luv," Jack whispered in her ear, "I've got you." Some part of her must have understood because she let go and went limply into his arms. Jack kept one arm wrapped around her waist and used the other to swim the last few yards to the Pearl. Jack grabbed the line Gibbs tossed him and wrapped it around his wrist "Pull us up, maties!" Jack gritted his teeth as the crew began to pull them up straining to keep his grip.

Gibbs pulled them on board and Jack fell to the deck the girl still in his arms. "She breathin'?" Gibbs asked.

"Aye," Jack panted as Anamaria draped a blanket over the girl. Jack waved her off as she tried to do the same for him. Jack gathered the girl into his arms and stood. "We've got to get her dry," Jack said, "Anamaria, with me, please."

"Right behind ya, Captain," she replied falling into step behind him. Jack carried the girl to his quarters laying her out on his bed still wrapped in the blanket. Jack took a moment to see what the lass looked like. Long reddish hair fell in tangled clumps, and her skin was dangerously pale. A small gash stood out above her right eye. "We'd best be getting her out of those clothes, Jack," Anamaria stated beginning to peel back the blankets.

Together they removed her drenched bodice revealing her other various injuries. Jack winced as an ugly bruise was revealed on her right side. It was a shame to see such lovely white skin marred by such a mark. Jack ran probing fingers over the bruised area searching for breaks, "I don't feel anything out of place," Jack commented, "I don't think anything's broken but we'd best wrap them ribs just to be safe."

The girl moaned and shivered. "No, please . . . Father!" The girl began to whimper, tears falling from beneath her closed eyelids. "No . . ."

Jack laid a soothing hand on her forehead. "Sshh. Rest darlin'. Prepare a bath," ordered Jack.

As Anamaria set about filling the captain's tub Jack took the opportunity to really study the girl. If she didn't currently look like death she'd be pretty enough, he thought. Jack tried to keep his eyes from roving too far. Pirate he may be, but he wouldn't take advantage of an injured woman.

"Bath's ready, Jack." When Jack didn't move the female pirate cleared her throat and tried not to laugh, "Jack you need to carry her over."

"What? Oh! Right," Jack swallowed hard as he gathered the girl's naked body in his arms. He did his best to keep his baser instincts at bay. He bit back a groan as her bare chest pressed against his. This was going to be a very long day.

*AUTHOR'S NOTE

Well, there's the first chapter. I pretty much have the entire story written but I will be posting this story gradually to give my readers the opportunity to offer any suggestions as I go. So, please review, it's very important to the completion of this story.