Pirates vs. RL

Finally another reply to that Ficlet Meme! This story is for dear ladymouse2 who requested a tale in which Jack rescues early-teen Michael Owens, my OMC who first appeared as if by magic in the second chapter of Harry & the Pirate I and quickly took on a life of his own. He and his best friend, Charles Norrington, are both about fifteen years old in this one, placing it midway between Norrington's Choice and Chalice of St. Francis . ladymouse2's request bookends a plot bunny that hatched over Labor Day, the first chapter of H&theP1 from Owens' pov...

Many many thanks to hereswith for editing this!


( 'Don't worry. Jack'll come for us...' )

Set two years post-Blood and Treasure, this is for felaine who suggested that "Caroline needs some romance too...[and] I'd love to know how she'd react to the Caribbean."

This is also for the "twist" drabble challenge prompt at blackpearlsails, though at over 3,000 words it's somewhat beyond a drabble.

Many thanks to my dear hereswith for beta reading, editing, and helpful suggestions. And if you haven't read hereswith's Spring of Our Parting, her (PG-13) entry for the Hades/Persephone pairing at PornBattle XI, do it! It's gorgeous!

( And now, some pre-valentine romance... )