Hello all! I'm back with a brand new story. This one is sort of post-alternate universe AWE with a decidedly Sparrabeth quality. I hope you all enjoy. The quote at the beginning is from a Fall Out Boy song that happened to be a bit of my inspiration.

Disclaimer: Disney owns all except for my plot...and the lyric quote that is Fall Out Boy's.

Chapter 1- Reconvening

"They say quitters never win, but we walk the plank on a sinking ship."

Captain Elizabeth Swann sat regally in her chair smirking at the pirate lords, her tri-cornered hat on her knee and her long tresses spilling onto her shoulders like spun gold, revealing a treacherous beauty that could and did send many a men to their deaths.

The Brethren Court had reconvened because of an unforeseen reemergence of one, Lord Cutler Beckett. Apparently, he had somehow survived the battle and as king and pirate lord of the South China Sea, Elizabeth was the one who would preside over the court while the decision of the course of action was made. Now, however, it was dinnertime and she merely watched the pirates before her with a piercing curiosity that would undoubtedly have amused several familiar faces in the room if they had noticed.

Currently, the only ones not arguing over trivial matters or conversing good-naturedly over food besides Elizabeth were Captain Sparrow and Captain Barbossa. The former was sulking in the shadowy part of the room, nursing a bottle of rum, and the latter was petting his monkey fervently and cooing. The former greatly vexed their king. She was tired of Captain Sparrow avoiding her at all costs and brooding in the background when in her presence. The only thing that passed between them since the pirate war was her question of his forgiveness and his blatant refusal. It was not like him.

Unfortunately, Captain Teague had also noticed his son's behavior. He chose the seat to her right and settled down gracefully. "It's not like Jacky to ignore a beautiful woman, especially when she has power."

Elizabeth let her eyebrow quirk up, but otherwise did not acknowledge his comment. "Good evening to you, Captain Teague."

A smirk slid across his face. "Avoiding the issue, eh? Did you repel his advances?"

"We both know that wouldn't have stopped him." She replied dryly, staring at the man in question who was currently glaring into his rum bottle.

The chuckle she got from the older man greatly amused her, but she wanted answers to more pressing matters.

"So tell me. What do I need to know about my not so loyal subjects?"

A dark look appeared on Teague's face. "I suppose ye do need to know that, seeing as how you're the pirate king."

"Yes." She replied.

"Very well. We'll start with Captain Chevalle, pirate lord of the Mediterranean Sea. A Frenchman, that one, but just because he's French, do not underestimate him. He's as much of a dangerous adversary as any other. Pillages trade ships in the French Caribbean Colonies."

Elizabeth looked at the man in question. A most interesting figure, to be certain, Captain Chevalle wore a wig the color of her own locks and his fair share of scars upon his face. He was currently arguing with Captain Villanueva over dinner rolls in French.

"Ne vous moquez pas de moi! Je pourrais vous tuer pour votre impudence à la table de dîner!"* He spat at Villanueva.

"¡Bah! Usted es solamente un pensamiento francés."** The pirate replied in Spanish. Elizabeth was for once thankful her father made her practice several languages as part of her schooling.

"Je vous montrerai la pensée française!" Chevalle drew his pistol and cocked it, just as Villanueva did.

Captain Teague stiffened, pulling his own gun and shooting a hole in the ceiling. "Put it away, gents."

The table got quiet as they watched the angry emotions roiling on the two pirates' faces, but they did not disobey their code keeper. It would be pointless and only result in death of one or both.

Elizabeth grinned wickedly at Captain Teague's authority over the angry pirates. "They certainly despise one another."

"Aye. Captain Chevalle has been known to plunder Captain Villanueva's treasure fleet on their way back from Mexico. 'Tis a longstanding rivalry."

"Is it now? I'll need to remember that I suppose."

"You'd do good to."

"And the price on Chevalle's head?"

"Six thousand guineas, dearie."

"Six thousand?" Her eyes widened slightly. A high price, that is.

"Tis a small amount compared to some and most of it is from his attempt to steal from the Swiss bank."

She gasped in astonishment. "The Swiss bank?"

"Aye."

"That's most intriguing."

"Aye."

Elizabeth glanced at the man he'd been arguing with…Captain Villanueva, who was currently scowling at the Frenchman with a murderous glint in his eye. It was most obvious he was of Spanish descent, from the hat with a plume to the dark complexion to the fluent Spanish language.

"Now Captain Villanueva's price is 2000 guineas dead or alive, but he is not to be trifled with either. He is wanted for gold pilfering and piracy in the Spanish seas and the Adriatic Sea of which he is pirate lord. Not only does he have a notorious rivalry with Chevalle, but has been known to cross blades with the Barbary Corsairs as well."

Elizabeth pursed her lips. "The Barbary Corsairs?"

"Ammand the Corsair's area of expertise, luv. A Turkish pirate turned privateer by joining forces with the Ottoman Empire and pirate lord of the Black Sea. Has a fleet of privateers stalking the Barbary Coast, hence the name Barbary Corsairs. Robs the trade ships of Christian infidels and is wanted for crimes against the Church. Worth 4400 guineas, that one…has a taste for pretty women. You'd do well to watch him."

"Captain Teague, I do believe you just admitted you think me pretty. I'm flattered."

"I'm not the only one." He said, grinning and gesturing to Jack, who did not look up although it was apparent that he was listening to their conversation from the infuriated expression upon his face and his white knuckles.

Elizabeth, not wanting to get into that just yet, scrutinized Ammand instead. Like Chevalle, it was evident that he was also once handsome, but due to scars and an overly large mustache with a terrible glare it was almost entirely erased. Still, he did appear fascinating to look at. Her gaze was unwavering, but before he could notice her appraising look, she turned back to Teague, another man catching her interest. "What of Gentleman Jocard?"

"Ah yes…an entrancing fellow indeed. Little is known about that pirate…word is, he was once a slave that lead a revolt and took his master's name so as not to be recognized. He's pirate lord of the Atlantic Ocean, worth 3600 guineas. Word around these parts say he's 'aving an affair with Mistress Ching. I'm not sure I believe it meself."

This pirate with his chocolate skin and many charming baubles brought his gaze to meet his king's. However, he knew the story of her once being in high society, Governor Swann owning a few slaves back in England; the only look she received was a glare of resentment.

Not bothered in the slightest, she gave the colored pirate's possible lover an appraising look. "And her?"

"The most formidable member of the brethren here aside from you would be Mistress Ching."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "A woman would be the most formidable?"

"Not just any woman. The pirate lord of the Pacific Ocean, profiteer of Chinese trade goods between China and Japan, scourge, and leader of the pirate confederation of China after her beloved husband's death. Good man, good pirate, he was."

"Mistress Ching was married?"

He bowed his head. "Rest his soul. I hated to see him gone to the depths, left his piece of eight to her. She took it upon herself to be one of the most powerful women pirates in the world. She's known to behead her victims. All of her fights are gory. A pity she's blind really."

Elizabeth stared blankly at the Chinese woman with the bright makeup and tough visage. "I would never have thought her blind."

"Aye. You'd do well to learn from her, just don't lose face with her. She'll cut off your ears."

Elizabeth chuckled coldly. "Indeed."

"Ah let's see, Sri Sumbhajee. You know nothing of him."

"I know he has a high-pitched voice. Jack believes him to be a eunuch."

The man raised his eyebrow at her use of Captain Sparrow's first name, but did not comment on it. "Aye. 'Tis true on both accounts, I believe. He's pirate lord of the Indian Ocean. 'E's worth 2800 guineas. Was once a Hindu Priest with supernatural powers…or so they say. The powers are debatable. He trades in the Arab world, issued his own currency; the man does have skill. I wouldn't cross him. Although he's more cowardly than your Jack I do believe."

"I would say a sight more…and Jack's not mine."

A snort issued forth from Barbossa who had long since started listening in on their conversation interestedly. "That's arguable."

"I beg your pardon? I don't see you being brave." Elizabeth spat.

"Ye don't see me avoiding you either."

"You haven't been around her long enough then." Jack muttered.

Elizabeth's lips tightened, but otherwise she did not acknowledge that mumbled comment. "What's your story?"

Barbossa sobered up. "I hail from Ireland, but am the pirate lord of the Caspian Sea. I prefer Caribbean waters, however."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "And the price on your head?"

"Ten thousand guineas."

Her eyes widened for a mere second before her haughty disinterested demeanor returned and then turned back to Captain Teague. "And Captain Sparrow?"

A smirk appeared on the old captain's face as he glanced at his son. "Ten thousand and one guineas, brought dead. He's the most wanted living pirate in the world, even the ladies want him, though they'd prefer im' alive."

"Can't see why." Barbossa muttered, turning back to his monkey.

"You sound proud." Elizabeth replied, ignoring the other man's comment.

"Hmph."

She smiled a genuine smile and then her eyes met Jack's for a rare moment. The tension was almost tangible. Her mouth went dry, but he merely looked away, irritated at himself for looking at her. "I don't suppose you'd tell me what nationality you are, Teague?"

"I don't suppose I will."

"Very well. What was his mother like?" Elizabeth asked, leaning forward.

A rare smile graced Captain Teague's face. "Jasmine Perlita Delgado Sparrow, rest her soul, was the most beautiful, caring, and fiery woman I've ever met, although I do believe ye might be a close second, Captain Swann."

"Please, call me Elizabeth." She heard Jack scoff in the background, but ignored it.

He seemed to be immersed in some memory. "I loved her in my own way I suppose, although she didn't love me." The king made a mental note to find out what happened to her.

"Are you certain she didn't?"

He didn't answer. "She loved Jackie, she did. She was devastated when he left Shipwreck City to go off gallivanting with the East India Trading Company."

Elizabeth soaked this in and bit her lip. This would explain Cutler Beckett's hate of him, but why do he and his father not get along? "Do you love him?"

"Do you?" He countered with a grin.

She swallowed, watching Jack in her peripherals. He was very still. "I believe it's time to call this meeting to order, Captain Teague."

He gave her an amused look. "Good at evading answers as well, are we? Well, I suppose it is time we discussed a plan of action. By all means, call them to order."

After a few measured attempts and being ignored on Elizabeth's part, Jack became aggravated that not even his father would help her out of any embarrassments. Yes, she needs to learn, but not here in front of these ruthless scalawags. "Oh bloody hell!" He fired his pistol at the chandelier, which promptly landed in the middle of the food. "Your King is calling you to order! I'd advise you to shut yer mangy traps and listen if you know what's good for you!"

The room became silent. Everyone glared at him, except for Elizabeth and his father. The latter looked entirely amused at the spectacle, but the former was staring blankly at him. "Thank you."

He bowed his head to her and put his pistol away, refusing eye contact.

"Now that you've managed to come to order, we must discuss the latest uprising that has caused this reconvention of the Brethren Court. Captain Barbossa? What do we know as of this moment?"

All heads turned to the older man at her side. He cleared his throat. "Lord Cutler Beckett is still among the living. He's survived our guns and that maelstrom Calypso so lovingly graced us with the day…" He trailed off, glancing at Elizabeth.

Her jaw clenched, but otherwise, she showed no sign of the sadness and anger she felt about that particular day.

"…And they are plotting our total annihilation as we speak."

Just as she had foreseen, the room erupted with loud babblings.

"I say we move in and kill the bâtard as soon as possible!" Chevalle exclaimed, slamming his tankard into the table.

Villaneuva glared and gestured to the Frenchman as he spoke. "I say we kill him first!"

"I second that!" Ammand replied.

Elizabeth raised her hand. "SILENCE! We need a course of action and I still stand with my proposal of war as the only option, unless there are further suggestions?"

Mistress Ching chose to speak up. "I say we stay in Shipwreck City. We've already tried war and it didn't work."

"That will only result in Shipwreck city's destruction." Captain Teague commented.

"They do not know exactly where this place is!" Gentleman Jocard exclaimed, as always, agreeing with Mistress Ching.

"It is not difficult to find, Jocard, especially considering they were nearby on our last escapade." Chevalle replied.

"I say we take a voto…that is, if your Eminencia will allow it?" Villanueva questioned, eying Elizabeth.

"Sri Sumbhajee agrees with Captain Villanueva."

Elizabeth gave Teague a sidelong glance and sat back nodding. "Very well. We shall cast a vote. Captain Teague, care to count hands?"

"Aye." He replied. "Sparrow?"

Jack's eyebrow twitched. He had hoped his father would pick him first. "I propose a new scheme if I may."

Elizabeth nodded. "We're listening."

"We are not soldiers, we're pirates are we not?"

"Aye."

"Then why declare war? Why not ambush Beckett?"

Elizabeth sat forward and met his gaze. "Are you suggesting we launch a surprise attack in his territory?"

"Aye."

"I like your style, but we shall still carry on with the vote. Captain Teague?"

"Very well. Captain Chevalle?"

"Oh la la! Captain Sparrow has a point. Ambush. I like it."

"And Mistress Ching?"

She appeared to think it over for a moment, but it was obvious she was not going to budge; this would cost Jack two votes. "Mmm…Shipwreck City."

"Aye. I thought as much. Gentleman Jocard?"

"Shipwreck City." He replied without hesitation. Several of the crewmembers in the background sniggered.

Elizabeth sent them a scathing look, which quickly silenced the amused men.

"Sumbhajee?"

"Ambush." He agreed in his annoyingly high-pitched voice, which caused them all to fight off the urge to either cringe or laugh.

"Ammand?"

"War." He replied with a thirst that did not surprise any of them in the slightest.

"Captain Villanueva?"

"War." He said, but only to avoid from agreeing with Chevalle.

Barbossa and, although she had suggested war, Elizabeth, also agreed with the ambush notion along with Captain Teague himself.

Elizabeth turned to Jack. "Captain Sparrow, you may enlighten us as to what our intentions should be."

He studied her for a moment and nodded, almost giving her a smile even, but that bit of a smile was fleeting and left her wondering if it had ever existed at all.

* Do not mock me! I could kill you for your impudence at the dinner table!

**Bah! You are nothing but a French pansy."

***I'll show you French pansy!

What did you think? Did you like? Did you hate? R&R.