Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, and unfortunately never will.

A Pirate's Past

It wasn't every day you escape from the noose, thought Jack as he stared out to the horizon. He looked behind him and could just make out two tiny figures embracing on the edge of the precipice from which he had fallen. Or rather, tumbled off in a desperate attempt to escape. Which was working, as far as he could tell.

Jack tore his gaze away from Will and Elizabeth. Even if they couldn't see that he was looking at them, he felt he was intruding on their intimate moment. He had better things to do. Such as figuring out why the HELL the navy ships weren't hot on his tail already.

The sun sank lower in the sky as the Black Pearl sailed further away from Port Royal. And yet, as the fort dwindled to a faint smudge on the horizon, there was still no sign of the navy.

Strange, thought Jack. I would've figured ol' Commodore would be breathin' down me neck by now. Ah, well. It didn't really matter. He had his ship again, and his freedom. What more could a man want?

Jack sighed with contentment. For a moment, he allowed his mind to wander, to enjoy the approaching dusk and the brisk sea wind hitting his face, sharpening his senses. He merely rested his hand on the oiled wood of the wheel, letting the Pearl and fate guide them where they would. His thoughts drifted back to Elizabeth and his parting words to her..."Elizabeth - it would have never worked out between us, darling. I'm sorry..."

Indeed, he was sorry. Sorry that he hadn't been more explicit about his feelings for her. Sorry that Will had found her first. Sorry that he had drunk so much on that island...but then again, he wasn't exactly one to go all mushy on someone he cared about. Hell, he wasn't even one to get attached as deeply as Will had to one person. For one thing, it was too dangerous in his profession. Anyone could betray you. That was why love was too risky for a pirate. And for another, Jack just wasn't that type of man. He couldn't stand the idea of commitment, let alone staying in one place for anything or anyone. He was too much of a libertine to do that.

Jack smiled to himself and began humming Elizabeth's pirate song. Then, just as the sun slid slowly behind the horizon, his eyes darkened. He pulled himself out his reverie and thought about the task at hand. Where was Deadeye Alderman?

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Elizabeth nestled deeper into Will's arms. The sunset was beautiful, but the same wind that allowed Jack's escape created bone-chilling gusts that cut through Elizabeth's thin dress. It had been sweltering earlier, but the hotter it was during the day, the cooler it was at night. This being the Caribbean, it couldn't get TOO cold, but right now was probably the coldest it had been all year. It was somewhat strange, but Elizabeth didn't dwell on it. She was with Will. Why should she care what the temperature was? If she was cold, she had Will to keep her warm.

Will felt Elizabeth's involuntary shiver as a fresh breeze ruffled their hair, and wrapped his cloak tighter around them both. Elizabeth stood with her back to his chest, his arms around her, holding the blood red cloak shut to keep them both warm. He rested his cheek against her temple, breathing in her slightly soapy, flowery scent. Her hair was soft against his face, silky and smooth, like her skin. He could feel her every breath, and the warmth radiating from her slight form. He still couldn't quite believe that this was real, that after all this time they could finally be together.

Will exhaled behind her, his breath gently caressing her neck. Elizabeth felt goosebumps run down her spine, and it wasn't because of the chill. In fact, she realized, she wasn't even cold at all.

"Will," she began, but stopped.

"What is it?" he prompted, his voice like smooth dark chocolate to her ears.

"D'you think Jack'll be alright?"

Will couldn't help but smile. "Of course he will, Elizabeth; you forget: 'He's Cap'n Jack Sparrow!'"

Elizabeth grinned at Will's gruff imitation of Jack's accent. It was surprising how close the three of them had become in such a short time. She didn't think she could bear it if he escaped only to be caught and brought back to be hanged...again. And the next time, she knew, her father and Commodore Norrington would not be nearly as lenient. "I'm glad," she said. "I wouldn't want to watch him hang. He's a good man."

"Good pirate," countered Will, and turned her around to face him. "Just as I am."

"Yes, well you," she said, smiling, running a finger along his jawline, " unlike him, do not steal riches. You, I fear, Mr. Turner, " she leaned in so that her mouth was almost touching his, " have stolen my heart."

"Aye," answered Will softly. "That I have." Then he closed the distance between them and kissed her once again.

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Commodore James Norrington paced restlessly in the Governor's study. "This can't be happening," he muttered to himself. "This can't be happening!"

"Calm yourself, Commodore Norrington!" commanded Governor Swann, Elizabeth's father. "You must accept the decision my daughter has taken - "

"Accept it!" cried James incredulously. "How can I accept it when Miss Swann promised her hand in marriage to me only to throw it all away on the - " James spat the word, " - blacksmith!"

"I DIDN'T FINISH COMMODORE!" bellowed Governor Swann. "As I was saying, you can accept my daughter's decision, OR we can see if there is any way we can dissuade Elizabeth from taking the path she has chosen to follow. What do you say?"

James paused. It certainly was a tempting offer. He would gain his heart's desire, Elizabeth as his wife, and get rid of that awful blacksmith-turned-pirate. Killing two birds with one stone, so to speak. But he was a man of the law, trusted to uphold righteousness and justice. And following the Governor's course of action would DEFINITELY be against the law, not to mention just plain wrong. What right did they have over Will and Elizabeth's lives? But, then again...

"I - I'll think about it, Governor Swann." James barely managed to choke out the phrase. It was wrong, but he wanted Elizabeth so much... "If you'll excuse me sir," continued James, "I have some business to attend to."

Governor Swann nodded and waved a hand dismissing him. As James shut the door behind him, he missed seeing the secret, malicious smile on Weatherby Swann's face.

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