Reflection Chapter One – Methods of Survival and Soul Searching

Author's Note: So, welcome to the first chapter of "Reflection". This story begins at the island scene, and then extends to after "The Curse of the Black Pearl" and before "Dead Man's Chest." It's mainly Jack/Elizabeth but will eventually be Will/Original Character also. I'm sorry, but live with it. oo''

Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean and the Characters from the movie belong to that damned profiteering Mickey Mouse. The plot and any Original characters all belong to me. I will note that I've included lines from the movie and the deleted scenes. This is just to give me and the readers a sense of where this story blends with the movies "The Curse of the Black Pearl" and "Dead Man's Chest." 1 And within my insane mind, Captain Jack Sparrow belongs to me. Oo''

--Your Lovely Author, Captain Bloody Morgan Vane--

As Captain Jack Sparrow's feet touched the hot sand on the beach, he turned to look back at the shrinking ship on the horizon. He twisted his mouth into a frown and continued towards the beach.

He flopped down on the sand and inspected his belongings; taking his boots off and setting them upside down on a stick to dry out. He laid his pistol atop his red bandana and dried out every small part, making sure that one shot would still work.

As he was immersed in his work, he didn't notice the frustrated Elizabeth Swann looming over him, her arms crossed and her eyes like fire.

"I don't suppose you are working out a master escape plan?"

"Nope."

"A method of survival?"

"Nope."

"How we are going to last through the night?"

"Nope."

"Then what are you thinking about?"

Jack looked up at Elizabeth as he put his bandana back around his head. He picked up his things and stood. She looked up at him, the frown still present on her face.

"I'm thinking about," Jack paused to stare into Elizabeth's eyes; those honey brown eyes, "how I got myself into this mess." Jack turned and walked inland, Elizabeth stepping in line.

"You've obviously found a way to escape before; why won't it work now?"

Jack turned to look at Elizabeth; his fists clenched tightly.

"Listen. Last time I laid on this very beach in a drunken haze for three days with a group of Rum Runners. Last time they took me as far as Tortuga. Last time I was obviously a lot smarter than I am now," Jack said, turning back around and digging through the sand for a trap door. He opened the hatch and stepped inside, tossing out a crate of food and a crate full of rum bottles. Jack followed back out and shut the hatch.

He stared at Elizabeth, who was in shock and anger at Jack's testimony. Jack picked up the crate of rum, and asked Elizabeth if she would get the crate of food, and walked back out onto the beach.

A number of hours had passed and Elizabeth was sitting in front of the massive fire, her knees hugged close. She stared at the dancing flames blankly, a bottle of rum resting in the sand next to her.

Jack stumbled onto the sand next to her, carrying a make-shift blanket out of woven palm fronds. Elizabeth stared at it then pulled it around her.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"Try and cheer up, lov– I mean, Eliza– Miss Swann."

"Elizabeth is fine for the time being, Captain Sparrow."

"Jack is fine for the time being."

"But you put so much emphasis on the 'Captain'..."

"Do you see a ship anywhere? I'm not a captain, Elizabeth. I'm just a legend."

"Jack," Elizabeth began but was cut off by Jack standing up and walking down to the shoreline and around the beach.

She watched him for a beat, and then stood, dropping the frond blanket and running after him. She caught up to him and walked behind him in silence for a while. She then took a couple steps and walked alongside Jack. He finally stopped and stared at the sky, trying his hardest to ignore Elizabeth's presence.

"What's bothering you?"

"The fact that you're not trying to keep warm. Its getting rather cold and its only going to get colder."

"Jack Sparrow, I'm not a child, and I won't take orders like one! Now tell me what is the matter!"

"As far as I'm concerned, you are a child, Miss Swann; and quite frankly, your presence is bothering me!"

Elizabeth gasped in amazement and shot back, "And I'm the one who's a child, yet you're putting up a brick wall for everyone who even shows the slightest bit of concern for you!"

Elizabeth stormed back towards the fire and Jack turned around.

"I'm scared."

"What?" Elizabeth said, turning around.

"I'm scared, ok? I'm scared for Will, I'm scared for you, and I'm scared for my crew. I put so many innocent lives in very real danger all because of a ship!"

Jack sat down firmly on the sand and Elizabeth walked over and sat close next to him.

"Yet you're not scared for yourself?"

"I figure I'm already as good as dead. Whether we get off this island or not."

"Why are you scared for me?"

Jack looked at Elizabeth, who was staring at the sand.

"Because you're just like me."

Elizabeth looked up at Jack, whose eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep.

"How am I just like you?"

"You grew up obsessed over pirate lore. You always longed to get out of your boring life and have an adventure. Your life has been threatened on numerous occasions, all in the past three days, I might add. And you're going to die whether you get off this island or not."

"Are you saying that I have a price on my head?"

"I'm saying that if you are rescued by your 'knight in redcoat armor' Commodore Norrington, you'll be put back in your mansion atop Port Royal, and you'll go back to your boring life, more than likely as Mrs. Norrington, and you'll be dead inside."

Elizabeth slapped Jack across the face with force. As he rubbed his cheek he asked her why she slapped him.

"Because you...you're right," Elizabeth buried her head in her hands. Jack hesitated as his hand floated over her shoulder; he sighed and rested it comfortingly atop the fabric of her bodice.

"You're right, Jack. I hate to bloody say it, but you're right," Elizabeth started sobbing, "Even if I didn't marry the Commodore and followed my heart, Will might not live to see tomorrow and if he did, he would be in prison for piracy!"

Jack pulled Elizabeth close and let her cry on his shoulder. He looked up at the stars again and rolled his eyes ever so slightly.

"Then what do you want to do, Elizabeth?"

She looked up into Jack's eyes and said, "I want to fly away. Far, far away. Away from everything."

Until now, Jack hadn't noticed that Elizabeth's hand was resting atop his. He stared down at it and pulled away slowly, his eyes focused on their hands.

"From everything?"

Elizabeth looked to the sea and smiled, "Well, not everything. I'd miss the sea, the beautiful sunsets, and a life where my dreams would come true..."

Elizabeth stopped and looked at Jack, who was watching the sunset slowly fizzle out, a look of longing on his face.

"You really miss that ship, don't you?"

Author's Note: So ends the first chapter of "Reflection." I hope you all like it! Please utilize the review button. All reviews will be appreciated and given recognition in the following chapters!

--Captain Bloody Morgan Vane--