A/N: This is a continuation of my story, Aurora Barbossa. Please read that first or this will make no sense to you. All you have to do is go to my profile and you'll find it there. This will likely be a 5 part short story once completed. It takes place directly after the 3rd Pirates movie, 'At Worlds' End.' The 4th movie has not occurred yet. Hope you enjoy!

Prologue

Jack's Wish

Jack lay flat on his back with his arms spread and a bottle of rum resting in his right hand. The drink numbed the sting in his senses but did not demolish it.

"Jack," a soft voice called his name.

The small boat rocking below him made him dizzy. Jack did not want to move.

"Jack!"

The tone sounded more masculine and gruff this time. Jack groaned and clumsily hoisted his body to an upright position.

"What is it, Gibbs?" Jack grumbled.

"Land!" Gibbs said, pointing straight ahead to an island. "Perhaps we can find some food."

Jack shook his nearly empty bottle, adding, "And rum."

Gibbs sighed and muttered, "Yes, I suppose that be good too."

As the boat moved closer to the small palm tree island, Gibbs commented, "You've been quiet this whole time, Jack."

"Haven't got much to talk about, really," Jack mumbled.

"You miss her, don't you?" his best mate asked him, softly.

Jack huffed. "Of course I do. The Pearl was the greatest ship any man could ask for. But I will get her back. Mark my words. A captain must have his ship."

Twice now, his rival, Captain Barbossa, sailed away with his ship. At last this time, Jack possessed the map to the much desired Fountain of Youth.

"I wasn't talking about the ship, Jack," Gibbs pointed out.

Jack had the slightest feeling, but he shook his head. "Oh, that her. I do not wish to discuss that particular… her."

Gibbs merely nodded and did not utter another word. Once the boat reached shallow waters, Jack sloppily swung his legs out and started towards dry lands.

Jack scrunched his nose and gazed at the still palm trees.

"Doesn't seem to be much on this little island, does there?" he commented in a low tone.

Gibbs sighed. "Well, we won't be staying too long."

The two walked towards a group of circular trees.

"This looks rather odd, doesn't it?" Gibbs asked him.

Jack shrugged. "I've seen so many odd things in this world, nothing strikes me as unusual anymore.

As those words escaped his lips, Jack raised his brow over something that did strike him as interesting. Within the circular trees, a large hole appeared to be dug up, perfectly rounded. Jack peered down and drowned. The pit seemed to have no visible bottom.

"I do have to admit this does appear rather… different," Jack said.

Gibbs eyes expanded. "This must be the Pit of Lost Desires."

Jack turned his body towards his best mate and leaned his spine back. Once again his eyebrow lifted.

He continued, "They say if you light a flame and drop it down the well, your deepest wish you thought was lost will be granted."

"How is it you know of every little story out there?" Jack questioned, "no matter how random…"

"Books," Gibbs answered, simply. "Lots of books."

"I didn't know you could read."

"Well, a lot of times, I hear the tales from books told to me from others," Gibbs admitted.

Jack took a step closer to the pit and shot down another glance. "Most likely a load of rubbish, you think?"

"Aye," Gibbs agreed with a nod. "Most likely."

That did not stop Jack from returning to this pit later after the sun went down. Gibbs had passed out by the fire they made. Jack decided to be generous with his rum.

Carrying a stick with a single flame, Jack knew he did not have long before the flame burnt to his fingers.

He let out a doleful sigh and looked down at the pit.

"I want her back," he muttered. "Not the ship her, the other her. You know which her I mean. I guess wish things were somehow different so she could be here." As the flame slipped out of his fingers, Jack whispered the name, "Aurora."