Disclaimer: I do not own POTC. **sigh**. I wish I do though.

This is an AU story. Dead Man's Chest and At World's End never happened.

I'm back! Sorry for the wait! I was very busy with my Creative Writing Portfolio, but it's finished now so I have the time for this. Btw, my favorite fanfic author, Mystic Lady Fae, suggested that I take a Beta. I've never used a Beta before. Will anyone volunteer?

Chapter 5- Attack of The Swordfish Hook

Groaning at the pain in her head, Tania opened her eyes. Sunlight momentarily blinded her and she squeaked before shutting her eyes again. What happened last night? And why was her head pounding so much? The young woman moved to get up, clutching her head in her hands. However, for some reason, she got herself tangled up in the sheets, lost her balance, and fell headfirst onto the floor. Wait, floors couldn't yelp in pain. They couldn't grab you in the waist either.

Tania raised her head to see a groggy-looking Captain Sparrow. She stared at him. He looked so… Inviting. That was the only word that popped into her head. Inviting.

"Um, good morning Captain," she said, timidly and blushing lightly.

At first, he just blinked at her. Then, he grinned. "It definitely is a good morning, luv. If I wake up to your pretty face everyday, I would have lovely mornings for the rest of me long life."

Her blush deepened and Jack laughed, lightly. His hands on her waist loosened themselves and Tania got off him. But, as soon as she did, the pounding in her head returned. She leaned her head back on the side of the bed and closed her eyes, groaning.

"Hmm… Headache?" Jack asked, concerned.

No sooner did his hand touch her temple in an attempt to massage it did Tania spring up and ran to the privy. She released everything in her stomach before collapsing on the floor, clutching her head between her hands. Jack entered after her and brushed her hair away from her face and tucked them behind her ears. Then, he gently grabbed her by the shoulders and helped her stand up.

He led her back to the bedroom, laid her down on the bed, and left her side to pour water from a pitcher and onto a bowl. He also took some cloth and soaked it in the water. Then, bringing these to the bedside table, he began to wipe her brow. Feeling the damp cloth, Tania closed her eyes and sighed in contentment.

"What in the world happened to me?" she mumbled, opening her eyes to look at him.

"You mean you don't remember your five mugs of rum?"

She shook her head. "Barely."

Jack grinned. "That, luv, was called a hangover."

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"Jack, you know this day would come."

Jack tore his gaze away from Tania. She was sitting with Annamaria across the tavern, nursing a cup of remedy for her hangover. Jack flashed an inquiring look at Gibbs.

"And what day are you talking about Mr. Gibbs?"

"The day when Tania has to learn the sword." Gibbs looked very serious. "After what happened last night, she needs to learn how to fight back. She can't run away forever and you know that we can't always be there to protect her."

The only way I can't protect her is if I get hanged, and that won't ever happen, Jack thought, sipping at his drink (non-alcoholic, for now). But, he also knew that Gibbs was right. It was time for Tania to learn self-defense.

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"Captain, where exactly are we going?" Tania asked, as she followed Jack through town.

"You'll see, luv. It's a surprise."

Soon, they reached their destination: a blacksmith's shop. Though confused, Tania followed her captain inside. He went up to a man and began talking to him in a low tone. Both men constantly glanced at her. Tania was curious but decided that the Captain looked busy. So, she began to wander around the shop, examining the various weapons in awed fascination.; there were swords, daggers, and knives. Soon, she began to notice that though they were excellently crafted, they were not as elegant as the dagger she owned. In fact, her silver-hilted and sapphire-encrusted dagger stood out among the pirates' plain, steel cutlasses. Not even Captain Sparrow's sword had a jewel on it.

"Tania?"

Jack's voice broke her thought and she raised her head from a box of knives to look at him. He gestured for her to come over to where he was and she did.

"Tania, this here is Mr. Brocklehurst. We just call him ol' Brocky. Brocky, this is Tania, the Pearl's new crewmate."

The blacksmith grasped her hand. "Nice to meet ya', lass."

The way he smiled, kindly at her made Tania like him immediately. He seemed like a good man who wouldn't hurt her.

"The pleasure is all mine, sir," she replied, flashing a smile.

He looked taken aback at her politeness and looked inquiringly at Jack. The pirate captain simply shrugged.

"Well, then," Brocky said. "Jack, here, says that you need a sword."

"I do?" Tania looked at Jack, questioningly.

He nodded. "It's time to teach you the sword, luv."

Her eyes shined in excitement. "Really?"

"Aye."

To Jack's surprise and delight, Tania squealed and threw her hands around his neck, thanking him again and again. He never knew a woman to be so excited about being taught how to fight. And he found that he rather liked her arms around his neck. And she smelled really nice too. Must be that bottle of lotion he bought her at Port Hastings. A combination of lavender and vanilla. Jack loved the smell of vanilla.

For the next couple of days, the crew of the Black Pearl kept themselves occupied with teaching their newest mate how to use the sword. Jack would alternate groups of three who volunteered to help teach her. Jack did this so that Tania could learn different styles and techniques from the men. It was difficult, at first. Tania was so delicate that oftentimes, the one teaching her would hesitate to attack her and ask the other two to do it. The other two would protest because they didn't want to attack her either and then, the three would end up fighting with each other instead, leaving Tania to watch in frustration. This led Jack to assign either Annamaria, Gibbs, or Cotton to watch over the lessons. Sometimes, he did it himself. Eventually, when Tania complained that the crew was treating her like a baby and had enough of it, Jack threatened to have the men tied to the mast until they left Tortuga if they didn't teach her properly. The crew had no choice but to obey.

Soon enough, when their departure drew near, Tania had improved. Her day usually ended with cuts and bruises but she woke up enthusiastic and ready everyday. Even after they left the pirate haven, Jack continued to have Tania taught by his men, sometimes on the deck, sometimes in a room below deck, but Jack preferred the deck, so that he could watch over her.

A week after they left Tortuga, Gibbs came up to Jack as the latter sipped a mug of rum, watching Tania being trained by Bart and Timothy.

"Jack, I'm just wondering. Why are you having the men teach the lass when you can do it yourself? You're a good swordsman and she would be learning from the best. Why aren't you teaching 'er?"

The pirate captain took a long sip from his mug, his eyes not leaving the young woman. "I have my priorities as Captain, Gibbs. You know that."

"Shouldn't one of your priorities be making sure that Tania learns from the best? And in this ship, you're the best. In the whole Caribbean, in fact. Actually, the whole world."

"You flatter me Mr. Gibbs."

Gibbs gave him a knowing look. "There's something you're keeping from us, Jack. But I ain't gonna ask. It's not in me place anyway."

And with that, he left the Black Pearl's captain. Jack thought about what Gibbs said. It was true that Jack was the best swordsman on the Pearl, on the Caribbean, in the world. And Tania would be taught better if he was the one training her. But, Jack had his reasons. He just won't let anyone know what it was yet.

"Ow!"

"Hold still!"

"I am holding still!"

"Squirming is not holding still! Now, do it! I'm almost done!"

Tania bit her lips as Annamaria finished tying the cloth around her arm. The younger woman had gotten seriously hurt that day. Timothy accidentally stabbed her during that day's training and the captain immediately halted the sparring. Timothy had apologized again and again. He even asked the captain for a punishment, so Jack assigned him to clean the brig.

"There! Now that wasn't so bad now, was it?" Anna said, as she packed the healing kit.

Tania looked at her now bandaged arm. "Thank you, Anna."

There came a knock on the door and Jack came in. "Everything alright?"

Tania nodded. "Aye sir."

Anna excused herself to put away the healing kit and left the two alone. Jack sat on the bed next to her. The white bandage wrapped around Tania's arm caught his eye and he stared at it, inwardly blaming himself for not being able to stop her from being hurt. Tania noticed his gaze and shifted, uncomfortably.

"Um, I'm alright , sir," she said.

He didn't seem to hear her. Instead, he took her arm and ran his thumb over the bandage. "I couldn't protect you," he whispered.

"It was only training sir."

Jack shook his head and released her arm. "You're right, luv. I'm being dramatic."

Tania smiled, brightly. "Thank you for your concern, Captain Sparrow."

He didn't know why but Jack could feel heat rush to his cheeks. Only Tania could do this to him. He cleared his throat. "Well, I think we'll give your arm a week or so to heal before you can handle another sword. And by then, expect me to be your teacher."

And with that, he patted her on the knee before leaving the room, not seeing the blush that had found its way on Tania's cheeks.

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It had been a week since Tania's injury and Jack planned to begin her training again the next morning. This time, he shall be the one teaching her. He would be very, very careful not to hurt her. For now though, he must concentrate in steering the ship towards the boundary of Asia. He wanted to take his crew to Japan so that Tania could experience a change in scenery. Besides, he had some business to deal with an acquaintance.

"Captain! There's another ship ahead!" Marty called from the crow's nest.

Jack looked ahead and sure enough, a silhouette of another ship was visible. It looked much too beaten up to be a ship from the Royal Navy, so it must be a pirate ship. But then again, you could never be too safe. "Hmm… is it friend or foe?"

"Uh… I'm not sure…"

"Well, make sure of it! What ship is it?"

Marty squinted into the enemy ship. A look of alarm came into his face. "Captain, it's the Swordfish Hook!"

Swordfish Hook! Henry Stone!

"Damn! I owe him money!" Jack cursed.

A few months back, Jack had played a card game with the Swordfish Hook's captain. And lost. Jack knew Stone well; he was a stingy one, always making sure he was paid and if he was not, the pirates' ship was the payment. Or something equally precious. Jack didn't have enough to pay him in full yet. Actually, he did, but Jack wanted to keep his earnings from the last raid, and they had only raided one ship for the last two months; he was hoping to get to the next raid and pay back Stone with those.

"Are those… Are those cannons?" Marty said aloud.

Blast! He better prepare the ship for the worst. "Alright ya' scurvy dogs! That's Stone out there and you all know 'im inside and out. So ready yourselves and the cannons just in case he decides to collect my debt. And you all know what that could mean."

He didn't need to say anything twice. His men were already running around, preparing for a possible fight.

Meanwhile, Tania had stood up from her barrel seat, a torn shirt and a thread and needle still in her hands. Confused and curious, she turned her head towards the dark shadow looming near.

Damn, I almost forgot about her! Jack thought, leaving the wheel and walking quickly towards her. I better get her out of sight.

Jack grabbed her arm. She let out a squeak as her sewing fell to the floor. He dragged her below deck.

"Captain Sparrow, what's happening?"

"There's some business I have to settle with the Captain of the Swordfish Hook," he replied, pulling her towards her room. He opened the door and dragged her inside. He took her by the arms. "Stay!"

He turned to rush out, but Tania grabbed the back of his shirt. "I can help!"

Jack only shook his head. "No Tania. Stay here."

"But-"

"No!" Jack rounded on her, angrily. "He must not see you! If he does, I could lose you." Realizing what he had just said, the pirate sighed and shook his head. "It would be safer for you if you stay here."

And with that, he closed her door and locked it from the outside. He could hear slams as Tania pounded on the door, demanding to be let out, but Jack, on deaf ears, turned and walked back above deck.

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In the end, she decided to obey her captain and stay inside the cabin. She couldn't hear any cannons or sword fighting so they must simply be talking, negotiating. However, Tania still couldn't help but be anxious; she wasn't up there so she didn't know what was happening.

BOOM!

Suddenly, the Pearl began to rock. Tania's ears rang painfully from the cannon's blast. Whether it was the Pearl's cannon or the enemy's, she didn't know. All she knew was what she feared had come true; the Black Pearl was under attack!

The brunette quickly jumped out of her bed and slammed her whole weight against the door. She slammed her fists against the wood, desperately.

Blast! Why are they treating me like I'm a child? Tania thought, angrily as she tried to jiggle the doorknob to no avail. I have to get out of here and help.

Realizing that she had dropped her sewing pack out in the deck, she felt around her pockets for a spare pin or needle. Mr. Gibbs had taught her how to pick locks and this was the perfect opportunity to test her skills. Finding nothing on her, Tania ran to her table and opened the drawers. She had a spare sewing kit hidden in here somewhere, just in case. Finding the small tin box, she lifted the lid and rummaged among the spools of thread for a needle.

Yes! she thought, finding a pin. Quick as lightning, she ran back to her door and began to pick the lock. Please! Please work!

After what felt like forever in jiggling the pin around the keyhole, there came a small click and the door swung open. Beaming at her triumph, Tania sped out of her room and towards the deck. But before she could reach the door, a figure jumped down from deck and onto the hall. Instantly, she stopped in her tracks and hid behind a wall. Slowly, she peeked out; the man wasn't a member of the Pearl's crew; this man must be one of the enemy.

He was a tall man, almost as tall as Jack with shaggy brown hair. He wore fine but dirty shirt, black trousers, and black boots. A scarf was wrapped around his waist and from it, hung a small bag, a pistol, and a cutlass. He scanned his surroundings and Tania hid herself once more, breathing slowly and softly. Her heart was pounding so much that she prayed that the man couldn't hear.

She listened to his footsteps; the floor creaked softly near her but ultimately, the sound began to get softer; he was moving away from her. Biting her lip, Tania peeked out from the wall; the man was gone. Curious, she padded silently across the hall, passing the open door towards the deck (the corner of her eye caught sight of the fighting outside), and followed the man's footsteps throughout the halls. Finally, she realized that she was in the hall outside the Captain's quarters; she could hear the shuffling of feet, drawers opening and closing, and what she deemed to be the clink of coins and jewels. Gathering all her nerve, she stepped closer to the door and peeked in the small crack. There he was, cackling softly over a trunk near the desk. Her eyes widened and she had to bite her tongue to hold back a gasp; the man was stealing from her Captain's private stash! She had to inform Jack!

Slowly, Tania backed away from the door. Suddenly, her foot hit something hard that rolled towards the wall and clinked with another of its kind. Damn! The crew left their rum bottles lying around again! Sometimes, they were too lazy to pick up after themselves. She should have had checked this area this morning!

Tania picked it up, placed it behind her back, and held her breath, praying that the man didn't hear. From the crack on the door, she watched as the man stopped, his ears perked. His hands strayed to his pistol but instead of pointing it at her as she expected, he strode casually near the door. He took the door and looked as if to check behind it but suddenly opened the it and pointed the pistol at her.

And just like that, Tania froze, her brown eyes wide in horror. At the first, the man looked rather surprised to see her. Suddenly, his lips lifted into a sinister smile that sent an unpleasant shiver down Tania's back.

"Hullo there sweetheart," he drawled, lowering his pistol as he stepped closer to her.

She took a step back to which he barked out a laugh.

"Aren't you a pretty little thing," he continued, his eyes scanning her from head to foot like a merchant. "I'm guessin' you ain't one of Sparrow's whores. You're a part of this crew, ain't you? Such a waste on a petty ol' ship. I bet Captain Stone would be pleased to meet you and offer you a place in The Swordfish Hook. What say you, eh?"

His eyes widened in surprise when Tania suddenly revealed the empty rum bottle from her back. With one swift motion, she threw it at him and immediately scrambled to get away. She didn't if it hit him or not, but hearing his grunt of pain and the string of curses that followed, she concluded that she did hit him.

However, the young girl's panic grew when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned her head to see the rogue pirate on her heels. She ran faster. He grabbed her loose hair and she screamed in pain, but remembering Anna's self-defense lessons, she crushed her foot over his and elbowed him in the ribs. He let her go and she ran towards her room. But before she could reach it or any other room for the matter, she was thrown on the floor; the man had thrown his whole weight on her legs and was restraining her from going any further.

Tania reached for her dagger and slashed it across his cheek as he climbed over her. Blood spattered onto her and raised the dagger for another hit when he grabbed both her hands and pinned them over her head. He looked angry now, very, very angry.

"On second thought," he growled. "Maybe I'll have you to myself."

Tanis struggled against him, desperately. "Let me go, you bastard! Let me go!"

He grinned. "Feisty, I like it." To her horrow, ahand snakily wrapped itself in the front of her shirt and ripped it, revealing the bindings wrapped around her chest.

Though Annamaria was against showing fear in a situation such as this, Tania had no choice, she did what she had to do. She screamed. Loud.

Out in the deck, Jack stabbed and shot every unrecognizable man he could lay his eyes on.

Stone did confront him over his debt and when Jack said he didn't have enough to pay him back yet, the former went ballistic and refused to wait any longer. He demanded that Jack pay up with his private stash or better yet, give up the Pearl. Naturally, Jack refused and here they were, battling over it.

A familiar scream tore Jack's attention away from the situation at hand and onto the open door leading below deck. That was Tania's scream, he was sure of it. One of Stone's men must have sneaked below deck on Stone's orders to raid Jack's private stash. And found Tania in the process.

Suddenly, the crew was surprised to see their Captain stop fighting and run below deck. Seeing the vision of Tania lying helpless underneath an old brute darkened Jack Sparrow's eyesight. Without a word, he grabbed the man and forcibly pulled him off the young woman.

"C-Captain," she stuttered, clutching her torn shirt.

Jack placed himself in front of her, flashing the man a murderous look. "Leave. Her. Alone."

With a roar, the man took his pistol and pointed it Jack but the Pearl's captain was too quick and shot him before the former could pull the trigger. Behind him, Tania gasped, a hand over her mouth, silent tears streaming down her face as she stared at the gaping wound on her attacker's front.

The man was still alive and staggered towards them, but another shot from behind him made him stop. Jack lifted his head to see Gibbs with his own pistol raised, a worn-out looking Timothy next to him with his cutlass. With a final stagger, the man fell headfirst onto the floor, dead.

Immediately, Jack out and pulled a shaking Tania into his arms. She clutched at his shirt, sobbing quietly. He knew she was trying to act brave, but the sight of her Captain and his first mate kill a man right in front of her must have shocked her.

Jack didn't want to leave her, but he knew that the rest of his crew needed him. He had to stop this battle right now. And the only way to do that was satisfy Stone as much as he could.

"Timothy, take Tania to her room, please. Don't leave her until I say so," he said, softly.

Obeying his Captain, Timothy pried Tania's fingers from Jack's shirt. Placing an arm around her shoulders, he led her back to her room. She looked back once, a grateful look on her face. Jack watched her until she and Timothy disappeared before turning to his first mate.

"Mr. Gibbs, go to my cabin and place the contents of my trunk into a bag."

Gibbs was taken aback. "All of it?"

"All of it."

"But… But Jack! That's your private stash!"

"I'm aware of that." Jack began to walk back to the deck. "But I must finish this once and for all. That's an order, Mr. Gibbs."

And with that, Jack disappeared into the throng of fighters.

Gibbs could hear him calling out to Stone and arranging for parley. Slowly but surely, the sounds of battle began to cease and Jack and Stone began talking. Shaking his head, Gibbs headed towards Jack's cabin.

"The things one does for love," he muttered.