AN: Welcome to my newest story, Chasing Freedom. It's Cliché, I'm aware, but my mind is horrible when it comes to naming things. Trig I can do, but names… Anyways, I hope you enjoy it! This is post-AWE. Yes, I stuck to the simple fact that Will went on the Dutchman, but I'm not sure if he and/or Lizzie will come into play anytime soon. I'm aware that the OC may be criticized, therefore constructive criticism is welcome. Just be kind about it. This is loosely based on To Catch a Pirate, an awesome novel. You don't need to read it to understand this, but I highly recommend it for an excellent read! I tried to research this as best as I could. I own my OC and any other additional characters that may come into play anytime during the story. Disney owns all the goods, such as Jack Sparrow, etc. Read, review, and enjoy!

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I sighed as good-naturedly as I could, trying to hold in my impatience as a maid held a small curling iron to a strand and twirled it around the device. As if my hair needed curling. There were few things that I detested about the upper-class life, and this was most certainly one of them; having everything worked on until the brink of perfection. My hair was already naturally curly and in a healthy state, that is, until I was introduced to the horrible iron a few years ago. Now my hair was full of Y-shaped ends and white spots could be seen among the brown strands when examined. I'd developed the habit a year ago, and I'd been pestered ever since to stop it.

We would be traveling to a small Jamaican port called Port Royal for my father to become the new Governor. Apparently there had been a horrible happening in the Caribbean during the summer, in which the former governor, Governor Swann, had been killed. Of course, the Royal Navy had insisted that it was at the fault of pirates. Anyhow, they somehow decided to promote my father from a local judge to the small town island. I was somewhat looking forward to the journey, for I'd never sailed much. As far as I knew, we could encounter pirates! The thought thrilled me, causing me to shiver in excitement as my maid's grip on the iron momentarily faltered and I could feel the rod on my scalp for a brief second.

Another fifteen minutes passed as I tried to worry myself by thinking of how I'd fit into the daily life in Port Royal, successfully distracting me from the horrible iron until my maid announced that I was finished. Eager to dress, for I was only in my gown still seeing as it was merely mid-morning, I went to the changing screen where two other maids were waiting to assist me, meaning suffocating me with a bloody corset. When I looked at the garment they were holding up for me to examine, my breath caught in my throat when I saw the elegance.

The dress was that of a deep pink that I'd often seen painted above the ocean from my window, the material obviously silk. The quarter-length sleeves were lined with snow-white lace, as well as the neck and hem line. It was quite beautiful, and no doubt expensive. As a corset was put around my forced-thin structure, I could hear my father enter, his footsteps echoing around my bedroom as he paused in front of the screen. "Natalie, how's it coming?"

I opened my mouth to speak right as the ribbons of the blasted contraption were pulled, causing a squeaking sound to emit from my mouth instead of my initial response. "Fine, Father," I gasped as the laces were tightened one last time and were finally secured. The dress was slipped over my head and helping hands assisted in guiding it onto my body, the ties in the back also needing to be tied. "It's beautiful, thank you. It's very elegant."

I heard him chuckle as his footsteps drew nearer, indicating that he was impatient to see it and get started on our voyage. "Yes, it is quite exquisite. Your trunks are already aboard the Enchantress, darling. We should be leaving as soon as you're finished."

I nodded, as eager as he was to board the ship. It was our prized possession, mostly because my mother had loved it before I was born, when she died. That had been twenty-five years ago, so obviously it had undergone quite some touchups, but nonetheless my father insisted on keeping it. "The Enchantress shall live until it's seen a lifetime's worth of Emersons," he would always say when someone would inquire buying it, never failing to add, "and an equal amount of voyages, near and far." If I was near when he'd say that, he'd always look at me. True, he wasn't the average father for our class, but he did his duty and he did it well. And as far as society was concerned, that was all that should matter.

The maids obviously sensed our shared impatience, for the ties on my dress took considerably less time to finish than the ones of the horrible corset. They quickly scurried to the other side, fetching some kohl that was used to outline my eyes. It wasn't common to see women wearing it, but those who did were the ones whose eyes were said to be as shining and worthy as a jewel. My eyes, obviously, met the standards, for the grey-blue orbs were more often than not outlined.

The young women applied it as I closed my eyes obediently, feeling the slick surface grace my skin softly. When I knew them to be through, I opened them and took a breath, gathered my skirts in my hands, and walked out before my father. His expression told me everything I needed to know; he approved. Except for one thing… "You should wear your hair up, Natalie. It looks more fashionable that way and you have such cheekbones…" I nodded and looked to my maids, who hurried to find ribbons to thread through the curls.

I hated my cheekbones. Everyone who had ever known me for any decent amount of time would complement them as well, always causing a blush to stain my pale skin. They were high and defined, a trait I despised.

Soon enough, my hair was secured with a couple of too-perfect curls dangling beside my face. As soon as he saw I was ready, he extended his arm and I allowed my father to lead me out of our home and to our ship.

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He watched from the helm as his daughter stood at the opposite end, her loose curls blowing gently in the teasing breeze. Franklin Emerson glanced away from her to the quartermaster who was currently controlling the ship. Beyond him was the newly-named Admiral Aaron Curran, who was also watching the young Natalie. He'd been in the Royal Navy for quiet some time, being the age of thirty-two, along with a small number of other men who'd be joining the Navy in Port Royal.

The Empress had been sailing for three weeks, and they were due to make port in their new town any time soon. No doubt, the Governor's daughter was anticipating something, as if she knew that something was going to happen. She was partially right, considering his plans for her.

During the course of their journey, he'd made sure that Natalie had gotten a fair chance to converse with the Navy's men, and to his joy she'd seemed to have taken to Curran, who'd seem to have done the same with her. They'd been seen having small, but productive, conversations many a time throughout each day since the second day of the voyage; the day they'd been introduced.

One of the core reasons Franklin ensured her conversing with men, especially Curran, was to find her a suitor. She was well over the marrying age, but he'd not pressed it, for if she was anything like her mother, she would tear his head off on the spot about it. Emilie was the one person he missed, the woman that he'd asked to marry ten years before Natalie had been conceived. Ever since the death, he'd made sure to cherish his daughter, doting upon her when he could and discouraging behavior that wasn't suitable in society's eyes. He'd never been one for strapping her down, but he'd never let her have free rein, either.

As he continued to stare at his daughter, he was taken by surprise as she abruptly turned and began running towards him, her skirts bunched in her hands. She'd insisted on wearing the pink silk dress since they were expected to arrive that day. Smiling, he turned to her as she ascended beside him. "You know you shouldn't run, much less in shoes such as those…"

"I apologize, Father, but I thought you should know. Despite that we're close to Port Royal, meaning the mainland is in clear view, there's a ship with black sails in the near distance. Look!" Glancing to his right, the surrounding men and he could clearly see that there was indeed a ship closing the distance between them as they neared the port. "Heavens above! Arm and hold 'til Mr. Curran's signal."

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My heart was pounding in my chest as the ship pulled alongside us, quite some feet between the two ships. I knew they were pirates, I knew it. Judging from what I could see as I was shoved into the Captain's Quarters, they were all nasty and interesting looking, and I wanted to participate in the upcoming battle.

As I heard the door being locked for safety behind me, I proceeded to the furthest room of the two that connected to the main one. I was the occupant while as my father was the owner of the other, although he rarely stayed in there with the exception of sleeping. He was often found in the main at his desk or the wide chartable that we often ate around. Mr. Curran had often been joining us, granting me and Father a couple of meals each week alone. I knew that Father was wanting me to marry, and I had the feeling that Aaron Curran was his man of choice. Before I would bring up the subject, however, I would need to get to know the Admiral more. He was rather dashing, with a perfect jaw, body, and face. He was no doubt proud of it, too.

The whistling of cannon fire emitted from our ship, the other obviously being taken over as I could hear the scurrying of feet. I flopped back on my bed, not frightened. Most women, however, would be, and I knew if I as much as got as close as I wanted, I too would be scared to death! I did want to meet one, but the current situation was forcing me to think otherwise. If fate was on our sides, then we'd be in Port Royal for the first time, not to mention with prisoners in tow!

I lay there for what seemed to be an eternity, waiting until I could hear Father unlocking the main door. As soon as I heard the metal freeing me, I sped out onto the deck. The ship was being steered by another Navy man, obviously instructed to follow close until we docked. "Father," I said as I approached him, worried and thrilled at the same time, "what's happened?"

"The lot 'o them have been put in the brig. We'll imprison them permanently on shore until a hanging can be arranged." My eyes widened.

Death was one thing I couldn't stand; the mention of it alone was enough to send my nerves tingling up and down my spine. My stomach would immediately churn, and I'd get a dry mouth. I suppose that it was from my mother dying, but I didn't think that was it most of the time, for many women in England died during childbirth. No, I was born that way and I couldn't help it. "You'll have to be present, for the community will expect it."

I nodded, licking my dry lips before looking back to the quickly-approaching landmass. "Yes, Father, I know." I muttered as we looked on, the battle still fresh in our minds.

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A day later, we were settled in our new home. My room was, astonishingly, larger than my previous one. A fireplace was a few feet from the foot of a spacious bed, much like the one in England. Our maids had traveled with us, so I had one less thing to deal with. Between meetings with the port's judge and other Royal Navy members, not to mention a rather large number of meetings with Aaron, I found it quite comforting.

One day in particular, when I was surprisingly free to roam the town with a maid of my choice, I chose one named Mary, who I'd had idle chitchat with in the past, for I knew I could trust her. Her brown eyes widened when I told her where I wished to go, for I knew it would save Father a trip to do it himself; check on the pirate prisoners.

"But, Miss!" She exclaimed as I led her to the entrance and gracefully flowing down the steps with my dress gathered in my hand. "I don't think that be wise! Your father will be upset with you."

I paused near the foot of the stairs, meeting her soft gaze. "Mary, please, call me Natalie when Father isn't around. And as much as I love him, I'm trying to say that this isn't for my wants but for his sake."

"He won't like it, but alright."

She followed me the rest of the way down, ceasing to follow me at the bottom of the steps. "Let me know at once if anyone approaches!" She nodded and I went down the isle of iron-barred cells until I saw them.

"Well, well, well, isn't it the lady from the deck, Barbossa?" A pirate with a horrible wooden eye asked an old, bearded one who merely chuckled.

"Aye, the new governor's daughter, are you not?"

I glared, my fears subsided. "Not that it concerns you, but yes. Now may I do the inquiring?" Not waiting for an answer, I continued, Barbossa's name all too familiar. "I've heard of you. You knew Elizabeth Swann, no?"

"Aye, miss, I did. We all did. Missus Turner is now at Shipwreck Island."

I furrowed my brow, puzzled. "I said Swann, not Turner…"

The pirate rolled his eyes. "She got betrothed to the whelp, William Turner. Now cursed, he is. Roaming around the Locker on the Dutchman…"

"If I wanted to hear a fantasy, then I could've asked my maids to tell me such a lie."

A stocky man next to the wooden-eyed one spoke in response. "Ever hear of the Black Pearl?"

I glared. "A fable as well."

Barbossa grinned once more, approaching the bars as I backed away out of his dirty grasp. "The ship ye captured? It is the Pearl, Miss Natalie, if I recall correctly."

"It's Miss Emerson to you." I spat, intrigued by the irritating beings before me.

"This be Pintel and Regetti." He pointed to the two men that had spoken previously in turns. "We can free ye of this life, lass, if ye wanted us to."

I felt my heart skip a beat from confusion. "Pray tell, how could you do that?"

"Natalie," Mary whispered, "Someone's coming!"

I nodded and glanced once more at the encaged men previously before me before we ascended the stairs. "Good day, men."

I was bustling up the staircase when I ran straight into Aaron, who caught me in his firm yet gentle hold. "Heavens, Natalie, what're you doing down there?" He looked at Mary, who was obviously nervous. "You there, why'd you allow her to…"

"Aaron, please," I spoke gently, meeting his dark brown gaze. "It's my fault. I apologize."

"Does your father know?"

I gave him a look that I knew he'd come to know fairly well over the course of time that we'd known each other. To be precise, two months plus the three weeks at sea. "I must tell him, you are aware?"

"Yes, I was praying no one would see me…"

He chuckled before leading me out of the stairwell. "You can't expect that. There are pirates down there, and I fear that too many people would find themselves taken aback by your death."

I allowed him to take me by the arm as he led me home, Mary close behind. "Yes, by many you mean yourself and Father?"

H paused to look at me. "Yes, I do. Now come along we don't have all day!" I obeyed, dreading what was coming in the not-so-distant future; A scolding.

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"The prison?" My father repeated, aghast about the news. "Natalie, why on Earth?"

I lowered my gaze, not able to meet the one of my father, ashamed suddenly. "I wanted to meet them."

Aaron had left us alone a few moments earlier, knowing that he'd done what he'd had to. I didn't blame anyone but myself. "Pardon?"

"I wanted to meet them," I said a bit louder. "I'm sorry, Father, I just…"

"You just what?" He stormed out from behind his desk to get closer so we could converse more quietly. "Don't you already understand that the King has been sent a notice about our affair with those foul men? People are beginning to gossip that it was planned. I'm being accused of working with pirates!"

I looked at him, still adjusting to the curled wig that adorned his head. He inhaled deeply before continuing. "You know, your mother would've acted similar at your age, I'm sure. And it sounds like Miss Swann was just as outgoing as yourself." I chuckled, completely unaware of what he was talking about. I knew that he was talking of the newly wedded Missus Turner, but that was all.

"She's married now." I spoke, not thinking at all. "Barbossa said…"

The aggravated spark returned to his eyes as he watched me. "You know their names?! That maid is to be fired."

"No, Father, please, I'll feel awkward with a new maid still so early in our stay. Please, don't, I assure you it was my fault. I told her I was going, and that was that. I apologize."

He calmed down, pulling me into a warm embrace. "I know, my dove, but you must be more careful! Promise me you won't go back down there."

I inhaled deeply, knowing I was telling the biggest lie of my life. "I promise," I whispered.

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Jack Sparrow grumbled as he rowed the dingy he was aboard. It had been several months, he knew, since the Pearl had been taken, but Tortuga had been worthwhile. If he'd known Barbossa, which he did considering he knew that the ex-first mate had stolen the ship, then he'd be near Port Royal, probably bothering the poor new Governor. Rumor around the pirate port was that he, like Swann, had a daughter. How that rumor had gotten started, he had no clue.

In the distance, he could see Port Royal. Even from afar, he could see clearly what others would've seen as a blur; the Pearl was sitting there, anchored. Which meant that obviously it had been captured. But he was Captain Jack Sparrow, and he knew he could pull it off with time, and he knew exactly where he could find the betraying pirates! After all, how many times had he been captured? Once, but he knew those streets like the back of his hand.

Who knows? He thought as he rowed vigorously, trying to get closer to his wooden love. If the daughter is as rambunctious as she's said to be, perhaps a bit of persuasion could convince her. After all, I am Jack Sparrow!