Barbossa went down below deck. He was still hurt by Joanna laughing at an old geezer like him. Maybe some apples would calm his nerves. He looked around for a barrel containing all the apples when he heard crying. Barbossa wondered who could be crying. If it was any of the crew members, then he wouldn't bother to see what was wrong. They were ust weak pirates.

"Hector", he heard someone whimper.

It was a woman's voice. Barbossa looked behind the barrels and crates to see Joanna curled against the wall crying. She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. Even though he was hurt by her, he didn't want to see her like this. He sat down next to her and pulled her close to him.

"Oh, Hector", Joanna cried as she buried her face into his chest.

Barbossa ran his hand up and down her back. He couldn't help it. He could never stay angry at her.

"What happened, Joanna? Tell me."

"Jack...Sp-Sp-Sparrow...he...kissed me. He wanted..."

She cried harder unable to continue. Barbossa held onto her tighter as he looked at her in horror.

"It's alright", he said. "It's alright. I'll never let him touch ya again. I'll protect ye."

"Actually, this whole day got me thinking", Joanna said.

"About what?"

"You want to know the truth? I think it's time for me to go. I'm a grown woman now, Hector. It's time for me to live on my own."

Barbossa looked at her surprised.

"Y-yer leaving?"

She nodded.

"I know you probably don't want me to go, but it's something I have to do. I need to get away from Sparrow. I need to get away from all these men. No offense, but I need some time around women. I've spent most of my life surrounded by men, I want to be a normal woman now."

He looked down unable to say anything. Joanna made it clear she didn't want him anymore. She laughed at him for being an old geezer and now she was leaving.

"Hector, don't be upset", Joanna said.

She placed her hands on his face bringing his head up to look at her.

"When I'm ready, I'll get my own ship. I'll come back to you. You'll always be my...best friend, Hector."

Barbossa sighed. He didn't want her to leave, but he wanted her to be happy...even if it meant letting her go.

"Very well", he said.

Joanna and Barbossa got up and went up to the deck. She looked down at the gangplank and ahead to Tortuga.

"Wait."

Barbossa grabbed her hand.

"Before ya go, I want ta give ya something."

He put his hand in his pocket and held it in front of Joanna. In his hand was a golden heart-shaped locket. He opened it showing two pictures inside. One was a picture of Barbossa, the other was him and Joanna together smiling.

"Hector", she gasped. "I don't know what to say."

"Ya don't need ta say 'nything", he said.

Barbossa tied the locket around her neck. Joanna looked at it with tears in her eyes.

"I have something for you too", she said. "Jack!"

Jack the monkey came swinging from the ropes of the sails and landed on her shoulder. She picked him off her shoulder.

"I want you to keep him", Joanna told Barbossa.

"Nay", Barbossa said. "He be yers."

"He'll keep you company. That way I'll always be with you and you'll always be with me."

She pointed to the locket. Tears came to her eyes as she gave the monkey a kiss.

"Take care of him, Jack."

Jack crawled over to Barbossa's shoulder. Joanna wrapped her arms around Barbossa in a tight hug. He returned the hug.

"I'm going to miss you, Hector."

"I'll miss ya too", he said pressing a kiss to her forehead.

She pulled away from him and gave him on last kiss on his cheek. She gave him one last look before stepping foot on the gangplank.

"Goodbye", Joanna choked out.

She walked down the gangplank and headed into Tortuga. Barbossa watched as she disappeared into the distance.

This concludes Young Fiery Spirit. Be on the lookout for a sequel, coming soon! I would like to send a special thanks to my good friends Coconut Coral who inspired me to start writing this and to Lisa. Without you, this story never would've even existed.

And a thanks to all my readers!