Disclaimer: POTC characters do not belong to me.

No More Lies

The winds picked up and the Black Pearl swayed with the calm waves. An empty bottle rolled across the floor and hit the boot of the man steering the ship. He held the spokes in reverence.

"We're finally home, girl." He whispered and smoothed a hand against the steering wheel. The masts creaked as if the ship had heard his words.

"Although, I'd say it was not a pleasant night, eh?" He said, sending a glance at the bow of the ship. Elizabeth Swann stood with her back to him. She was alone, her slim shoulders stiff as she hummed a familiar tune. He continued brushing his hands over the wood, contemplating whether he should tell the girl to go to sleep.

"What do you think?" He said, still talking to the ship. "Brave lass, isn't she?" One corner of his mouth lifted in a smile, and continued. "She'll be a fiercesome pirate." Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw his first mate approaching. The man had thinned and more graying hair appeared on his temple. But he looked almost the same– unlike the woman standing far ahead of him.

Elizabeth Swann had changed as Jack had noted when he pulled her away from the railing just a few hours ago. The woman was hardened. The way she looked at the world was different. Cold and steel. Gone were the wide-eyed wonder and the childlike eagerness to see the world. It was not unknown to him how the lass aquired that seemingly cold perception, because the things she beheld with those eyes were the things that he once saw a long, long time ago.

Gibbs coughed. "Captain?"

Jack took his eyes away from Elizabeth Swann and said, "I'm relieving you of your duties tonight, Gibbs." Jack cocked his head up, lips set in a grim line. "You may go." His first mate stared at him and then followed the direction where his eyes had been. Gibbs swiftly looked back at him with a bewildered expression on his face.

Jack ignored the raised brow. "And tell Miss Swann she may have my quarters."

Gibbs was shuffling on his feet before he said, "Barbossa–

"Can sleep in the brig for all I care." Jack finished, not wanting to know what his mutinous former first mate was doing. His mood was sour enough as it is.

Gibbs stood there looking as if he wanted to ask something. His lips was opening and closing ever so slightly.

Jack scowled. "What?"

"I know it isn't my business to ask but.. " Gibbs nodded toward the girl.

Jack rolled his eyes. "She did." He should have ignored the lass the very moment he had laid eyes on her. Clearly his notorious reputation was always in danger when she was around.

"I told you the woman was bad luck." Gibbs complained.

Jack pursed his lips in thought. He should let the statement go like what he had always done when Gibbs's adherent paranoia to superstitions kicked in. But it must be sympathy for the poor lass that made him honourably defensive of her. "It was m'deal with Jones that brought that bad luck, Mr. Gibbs, and not the lady."

The older pirate swiftly blinked his eyes in suprise. It was unusual to hear his captain admit his own blunder. Gibbs didn't know what to say and bowed his head instead before walking away.

Elizabeth closed her eyes. The ship swayed under her feet, slowly, left and right. She felt comforted by the movement despite the solitude and the freezing coldness of the wind.

It was still dark and she no longer knew how long she stood there. She was tired and yet the thought of sleeping downstairs bothered her.

She left the quarters of the crew the minute she heard their footsteps. It made her feel crowded. Even though her bed was private enough that no one could see her when she sleep, it was close enough for them to hear her. And she would not have the strength to hold her tears if they talked about what happened.

She'd swore vengence for her father. She would enjoy placing a hole in Beckett's heartless chest. And she would enjoy it many times. So the man despised all pirates, killing and hanging them without trial. She'll be his most hated enemy then just for spite.

"Miss Elizabeth."

Startled from her vengeful thoughts, Elizabeth whirled. "Mister Gibbs. I didn't know you were there."

"Oh, I was not standing so long, lass." Gibbs smiled and scratched his head.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Oh, right, Capt'n–" Gibbs paused and pinched his lower lip in consternation before continuing, "said you might be more comfortable in his cabin if you.. that is." He averted his eyes nervously and scowled.

"The captain? Jack?" Elizabeth frowned.

"No.. I mean yes. You're free to go in the captain's cabin if you can't sleep in the hammock. There's a comfortable bed there. You might as well take a rest, lass."

"And what about Jack?"

"He usually sleep by the helm." Gibbs shrugged.

"Afraid the ship will hit a rock, is he?" She teased and sent a laughing glance at the helm where the man was standing. But Elizabeth had to admit he looked so much at home when he's at the helm than anywhere else.

She turned to the old man with a mischievous smile, "And Captain Barbossa? Where will he sleep? Or is he usually awake all night too?" She raised a brow before adding, "If so, then there's no question why Jack adored the helm so much, isn't it?"

Gibbs chuckled despite the sarcasm. "Captain Barbossa willingly relinquished the room for you."

"Is it safe for him to sleep with the crew?" She squinted her eyes suspiciously. "It's bad to have a mutiny in the middle of nowhere. There's no deserted island about and dead people might just float out of the blue." Her smile quickly vanished at the last sentence. Then she looked away, chewing her lip nervously.

Gibbs raised a hand, placing it on her shoulder. "I know, lass." Gibbs smiled, "What say I keep an eye on him and you, young missy, will take a rest while I do that, hmm?" He slowly pulled her away from the railing and nudged her to the direction of the captain's cabin.

"Thank you, Gibbs." Elizabeth said, her solemn eyes misty, as they walked.

"Oh, it's nothing." Gibbs stopped and turned her to face him when they reached the stairs leading to the quarters below. His face etched with a fatherly smile. "You're a big girl now." Elizabeth chuckled. "And beautiful inside and out. You're father's proud to have a daughter like you."

"I don't know, Gibbs." Her eyes pooled with unshed tears. "I didn't even write to him and he.." She bent her head, hiding her face as she silently cried.

Gibbs gently placed his arms around her. "Shhh. Don't cry now, child." He clucked his tongue and placed his hand over her hair. Elizabeth slowly relaxed as her sobs faded into gentle sniffs.

She pulled away and smiled at him. "Thank you. You shouldn't even talking so kindly to me after what I've done to your captain. I know he's an important friend to you."

"Oh, bollocks that, girl!" Gibbs laughed. "It's not as if you had much choice and it's probably the only way to keep us alive and Jack.." He lowered his voice in a conspirational tone before saying, "had women killing him all time if not slapping him at most."

Elizabeth laughed out loud. Her face losing its paleness. "Really, Gibbs, you shouldn't talk to your captain in such a way." She teased.

"I don't." He winked. "Not when he's around to shoot m'person."

"I could tell him."

"For the love of Mary and Joseph, girl, do not tell him a word or he'll have m'head." Gibbs admonished and placed his palms against each other in plea.

Elizabeth snorted. "As if he would believe my word."

Gibbs heaved a breath and regarded her with a gentle smile. "He'll come around, lass."

Elizabeth smiled wistfully.

Gibbs slapped his hands against each other. "Well then! I must be on my way. Good night to you, Elizabeth." He nodded to her and walked up the stairs. There was a sound of someone scurrying when he reached the last steps. Confused, Gibbs went to the the helm. Jack was stretching his arms and stared at him with innocent eyes. "What is it, Gibbs?"

Gibbs looked around. "Capt'n, did you see anyone?"

"No, Mister Gibbs."Jack frowned and looked around as well. "Why?"

"I just heard someone going up the stairs." Gibbs furrowed his brows, staring at Jack, before his mouth twitched in wry amusement. "Ahh, anyway, it's not important."

Gibbs watched Jack as he kept pulling his goatee in a restless manner. He got an inkling who'd just ran up the stairs.

"Good night, Captain."

And with that, he left the helm and started to sing softly:

"Row, row, row yer boats. Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, love is but a dream.."