Temperance really had to stop getting herself landed in prison cells, it was becoming a habit. 

Though this one had been nicer than the one aboard Queen Anne's Revenge, there was still the lack of pleasant company. There was always the presence of guards, that was a given, but Jack remained silent. He moved around more though and had gone from not moving at all, to pacing in the cell and fiddling with the strings of his sleeve cuffs. 

Another difference was the cell condition. Instead of being half flooded and covered in splinters of wood, they were pristine and gleaming with a shine. They even smelled nice. 

The crack in one of the wooden panels of the ship's hull allowed her to figure out the time of day. It was about the size of her eyeball, and Temperance could barely see through it.

Food was thrown through the bars twice a day, maybe three if the captain was in a good mood. Jack had received most of her portions, he needed it more than she did. Temperance only took one per day, but when she felt her stomach through the folds of her shirt, she could count her rib bones with ease.

There was also fresh water, given to them in cups. Again, she had given most of it to Jack (at least half) and drank the rest herself.

Temperance had also been desperate for information. Where were they going? How long until they would be there? What were the captain's plans for her and Jack? Could she please have a knife?

She suspected the last one was a 'no'.

Jack's wound on his forehead was now healed, thanks to her now discarded gag. She didn't know where he had gotten it, but it didn't matter now.

Jack pointed out the day before that she was bleeding. And of course, with Temperance not being able to feel anything, she hadn't noticed. She had torn off a scrap of her sleeve and used it to stem the flow of blood.

Both of the fabric pieces lay in the corner, discarded and Temperance was fresh out of ideas.

"Please tell me you've thought of something." Jack twiddled with his sleeve cuffs and shook his head. She sighed and leaned back against the wood. "How do you even think of ideas in the first place?" He shrugged.

"Improvisation, love"

"That is the dumbest plan you've come up with."

"I've done worse."

"Why am I not surprised?" Temperance, despite the fact that Jack hadn't come up with a solid plan, was toying with the idea of 'improvisation.' I'm regretting this later, she thought to herself and called out to the guard.

"Oy, I need to speak with the captain." Jack looked at her incredulously, eyebrow raised as though saying "And you call my plans dumb." The guard didn't respond, he didn't so much as blink. Temperance stood, praying that this wasn't going to slap her in the face.

"If you'd be so kind as to alert the captain, perhaps you could show me around the ship." The man in uniform straightened against the wall, and Temperance knew he had heard her. "Please?" She let a small purr creep into her voice. It worked. He walked over to their cell with his eyes glinting. Temperance felt Jack stand behind her, remaining close enough to reach out and touch her shoulder.

The guard stopped at the bars, gazing at her as though she were a snack. Temperance inwardly cringed.

"I'll see if he's available." He walked away, his gaze lingering on her for a moment too long. When he finally turned the corner, Temperance wobbled backward, right into Jack's chest, shuddering.

"If I ever try to do something like that again, please slap me." Jack shrugged behind her, his hand resting on her arm in a comforting way.

"I'd be happy to, love." At the sound of several pairs of footsteps, Jack pulled away and stood against the far wall of the cell, watching with suspicious eyes. The original guard returned with three more in tow. An official-looking lieutenant accompanied them as well. Two of the men held pairs of polished shackles.

"Are those really necessary lads?" Jack had finally decided to speak up, gesturing toward the cuffs. The lieutenant stopped in front of her, looking as though he had better things to do.

"I'm afraid so," he waved at Temperance, "the lady comes with us. "

"You want me to cooperate? Jack comes too."

"That wasn't part of the deal, and may I remind you, you were the one who wanted to speak with the captain, not Sparrow," Jack spoke up behind her.

"I'd like to come." The lieutenant pulled the flintlock from his belt pointed it at his head, all while rolling his eyes.

"Did we ask you?" Jack held his hands up in surrender and backed away. Temperance, sensing that arguing would get her nowhere, stepped forward and held out her hands. The first guard stepped forward, the one she had convinced in the first place to get her to the captain. Temperance had to clench her hands into fists in order to keep them from shaking when his fingers touched her skin. She could sense Jack behind her, ready to pounce on the guy if needed.

The second walked forward, holding another pair of cuffs, evidently for her ankles. She stepped back.

"No ankle cuffs, I'd like to be able to walk, thanks." The lieutenant raised his eyebrows in suspicion, but something in her expression must have said it all, because he waved his hand that wasn't holding the gun to Jack's face, and the guard stepped away. 

"If there is any funny business, I will not hesitate to throw you over the side." About to retaliate, that he could throw her over the side, but it wouldn't do any good, a voice in her head held her back. She shrugged instead. 

"Fair enough." He narrowed his eyes, as though she were planning something (she totally was), but let her out anyway.

The walk across the ship was almost a silent one. Crew members stared at her as she walked, then when she had passed, they would whisper behind their ears. The captain was standing at the helm, looking boredly out to the horizon as another official babbled next to him. When he caught sight of Temperance, being marched toward him, he waved his hand and the yammering lieutenant immediately shut his mouth with a snap.

"Well well, if it isn't the pirate's wretch." Temperance fought the urge to wring his neck with her bare hands. "Is there a reason you have requested to see me?" Only now did Temperance realize she hadn't come up with a single word to say. The first step was getting out of the jail cell, and now that had been accomplished, her mind was drawing a blank. The captain was raising an eyebrow in her silence.

"I've come to warn you." That sounded convincing, she thought and the captain noticed, for he had sniffed in suspicion at her response.

"And pray tell, what you have come to warn me of?" Temperance grinned.

"The pirates are gathering. You don't stand a chance." This was a complete lie. She where other pirates would be, and they probably wouldn't come to her aid. But the excuse sounded reasonable, and the captain's eyes widened slightly. Not enough for his crew member to notice, only for her. And that was enough. 

"Why would you tell me this?" Temperance tried to shrug nonchalantly. 

"I don't like pirates that much. But that's not why I'm here. I want to make a deal." Improvise, a voice in her head whispered. The captain raised his eyebrow, a sign for her to continue talking. 

"I can lead you to their -what do you call it? - a base of operations. You can wipe out the threat before it even begins." 

"And in return? I'm assuming you want to go free, along with your friend below decks." Temperance inclined her head.

"Naturally. I'd also like to not be hunted by the British armada." His eyes narrowed in suspicion and his lieutenant muttered in his ear. 

"Why alert us to the pirates? Aren't they more of your type?" She shook her head. 

"As much as I dislike you, I don't like pirates either. It's also a personal thing." The captain paced back and forth across the deck, his lieutenant glaring at her. "Think of the glory," she added in an afterthought. "You take down the pirates before they become a real threat, I believe your boss would reward you greatly." 

"Sir-" Captain Gullible waved off his lieutenant and gestured to two men standing below. 

"Escort her to the helm." He turned to her. "You will provide us with bearings to this pirate gathering, and will contemplate all meanings of the phrase 'silent as the grave.'" He turned away as the men grabbed her arms. "And if you try anything, I will have your friend in the dungeons executed before your eyes. Am I clear?" 

"Crystal, captain sir." Dear god, what have I gotten myself into? 

Well hello, *waves from abandoned island* this comment line is reserved for yelling at me for leaving you guys in the air for like, ever. 

This story is still on a Hiatus, but I will be uploading once and a while. I just thought of the dialogue today, so that's why I've posted this. 

But guys seriously, I will finish this book. I really want to (even though the ending I have planned is complete sh*t) 

Woot woot, so close to 5,000 views, and 500 votes, which means a ton to me guys, seriously. 

Also, guess who started writing another fanfiction? *raises hand hesitantly* Me, because I fell in love with a 30-foot talking robot from another planet. *Cough* Optimus Prime *Cough cough* Transformers Prime *Cough*So do you guys want that one posted? Or should I wait?

Love you guys loads, dead serious here, no matter how many times I say it because you guys push me (In the best possible way) to finish this. 

Lots of hugs and hearts! <3<3<3

~Kelly~