The Ghost of You & Me

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own POTC, or BBMak's song, the Ghost of You & Me. I do own Avalon Sealove, her mother, & any of the other characters/surroundings that aren't POTC related.

A/N: This was inspired by the song The Ghost of You & Me, by BBMak, & by one of my stage names, Lady Sparrow. This story is also the rising of Lady Sparrow. This is my first POTC fic, & I really hope that I stay true to Captain Jack's character. I hope you all enjoy.

Chapter 1

"…seen a lot of broken hearts go sailing by. Phantom ships lost at sea…"

A young girl, of about 18 years of age, leaned on her balcony, singing out to the night sea.

It was the 21st century, 2005 to be exact, but in her mind, Avalon Sealove was living in the 1700's; with pirates, queens, peasants, & carriages. She spoke proper English, for 1765 that is, & even dressed the part. Well, not the whole way. Random corsets over off-white peasant shirts, even pirate boots. But she arrayed nicely, not grungy or gaudy in anyway. Very tasteful in fact.

"Avalon!! It's late, you have school tomorrow!!" from downstairs came her mother's voice. Avalon had been interrupted. "Yes mother!! I was only arranging my quarters…" she sighed & waited a bit. "Goodnight mother!!" she yelled down, before taking another look out her balcony, at the ocean. Her heart truly didn't belong here. Closing the French window, she crawled in her bed, & clicked her light off. 'Thank God tomorrow is Friday…' she thought to herself before falling to whimsical dream.

& & &

Avalon walked down the hall of her high school. Her knee high pirate boots & breeches showing off her finely shaped legs. In fact, all of her was finely shaped. She was about 5'4, waist length, perfectly curled brownish copper hair, a perfectly straight nose, burnt rose lips that screamed kiss me, & a body that screamed sex goddess. And her eyes, a very rare color. Especially since she was part Hispanic. They were grey, almost silver.

As she walked into her 2nd period AP European History class, a very handsome football player approached her. She had secretly crushed on player #13 for a while, & he had come up to her. But she knew it was all a joke. Avalon licked her lips, & raised her brow, shifting her weight, & looked at him. "Miss…if there is anything I can do, to win fair lady's heart –" he mocked her, a goofy grin plastered on his face. Her brow raised still, she curtsied in mock swooning. "Oh!! Sir, I wouldn't dare ask…to move out of my way, you're blocking my path!!" As she spoke the last word harshly, she shooed him with her hand & sat down.

"No wonder you have no friends, let alone boyfriends, you're a bitch!! I was trying to be nice!!" the boy leaned forward, resting his hands on her desk. "How lovely…I didn't know a man, excuse me, a boy would woo a girl by jesting her in such a way. Oh…& along this riveting conversation…no, I'm not interested. On your way dear, don't bother me." Avalon's eyes pierced into his hazel ones. The football player mumbled something under his breath, then laughed as he approached his teammates. "Hey Palazzo!! She dissed you huh?? Haha, it's ok, she's a freak anyways!!" one of his friends laughed with him. "Yea, a freak, but she's got a nice ass!!" they all laughed, & watched her, secretly lusting her. And there she sat, quietly writing in her old, yellowish, weathered leather journal. Even her calligraphy was perfect:

June 24-2005

Why must I be jested so?? I've never done to these people to deserve such treatment. Ah…but all is well, tonight, I plan on running away, off somewhere further down the coast. I wish to live by the sea, nearer than I am now. I wish to run away to the historic part of Port Royal &

Avalon looked up, the lecture had started. She looked down again, & quickly finished:

that's exactly what I plan to do…tonight. Give all ye have, & take nothing back.

After class, as she was walking to her next class, evading a cluster

of people, a group of those snobby, skanky, "popular" girls was walking behind her, the girls' "leader" in front. A blonde, a fake one at that, who was too thin for her own good, carried nothing but her Luis Vuitton bag, pushed Avalon forcefully to the left, shoving her into the lockers. Her shoulder dug right into the notch where the lock is placed. Unfortunately for her, the notch was broken & sharp, & she was thrust into the locker hard enough so that the notch scraped her a good deal, enough for it to drip blood. Avalon let out a loud grunt of pain, grabbing her shoulder, her shirt starting to bleed through.

"Ohh, bugger!! Excuse you!! Watch where you step!!" Avalon, still grabbing her arm, turned around to see who it was that was so careless, then realized it was no mistake. There was the girl, with her friends behind her, all in a pose, their right hands on their hips. "Ahh…Bridget, should have known it was you. There is more hallway off to the right you know." Avalon swiftly let her left hand fall onto her hip, her right hand draped across to her hurt shoulder, her left hip jutted out, & her right leg straight out to the side, her foot almost pointed, like the dancer she was, that no one knew of. She was actually quite talented in a lot of fields, as we'll come to find later. "I know, but I was walking here, & no one gets in my way. Especially not freak losers like you. I'm head cheerleader, & am dating the captain of the football team, on the social scale, I'm way above you. So you should watch it bitch." the girl we now know as Bridget chided, the other girls snickering. Bridget only looked at Avalon as if she were dirt.

Avalon grinned slyly, the corner of her mouth curling. "Well my dear, it seems as if your precious captain, number 13, was flirting with me in second period today. A joke nonetheless, but he was still flirting." Avalon wasn't usually one to get into people's relationships, but seeing as this Bridget girl shoved her into a locker, making her bleed, called her a freak loser, placed her low on the "social scale", & then called her a bitch, she would intervene, just this once. Bridget gave her a look, a disgusted look. "Eww!! Puh-lease!! My boyfriend would never look at you. You…you…you pirate!! " Bridget thought she had hurt Avalon, but quite the contrary, she had given her a wonderful compliment. And if pirate is what Bridget thought Avalon was pirate she would be. "Well thank ye mate!! Pirates are smart, nimble, & great listeners. An' I am no exception, 'cos I listened, about yer little rendezvous with yer captain's co-captain…savvy??" Avalon finally let go of her shoulder, & as she said savvy, she presented her bloodstained hand delicately, as if to seal a pact. Her brow raised.

Bridget gasped in surprise, her words caught in her throat, her girlfriends were in shock as well, none of them thought that anyone would know, especially not an outcast like Avalon. But that's all evidence to the contrary: those who are outcast…are those who listen the most. "Fine!! But I'm not sorry for that push I gave you, or that scrape either. And I'm not sorry about any of the things I called you, cos they're true. Just stay out of my way, & I'll stay out of yours, but watch out, I have my eyes on you…pirate!!" Bridget snapped her fingers & looking Avalon up & down nastily, she walked passed her, her friends following, & as she walked by, she flicked her hair in Avalon's face. Avalon only looked after her with hate in her eyes, then looked down at her right, bloodstained hand, a smirk on her face, trying to hide the hurt that stung her heart, & her shoulder. "Pirate…" she whispered, at least satisfied with that part. She went off to the bathroom to wash up, then headed off to the first aid, to at least get a bandage, & pass to be late to class. The whole way planning her escape.

After school, she went home, a somewhat of a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She wasn't going to miss anyone, save her mother. Even though she didn't understand her. It was ok, no one did.

She walked in to her house quietly, hoping that no one was home. But there was, her mother was in the living room, talking on the phone with someone, one of her friends most likely. Not wanting to seem as if she were intruding, Avalon began to make her way to her room. But that's when she overheard her name. So she sat on the ground, behind the counter, listening to the conversation about her. "Alice, my daughter…there's something wrong with her!!" Avalon's heart fell to her feet suddenly. 'Did I just hear correctly??' came her thoughts. She listened. "She has no friends, doesn't TV, she speaks way too properly, & dresses half way like the 17oo's…Alice, she needs a therapist!! I don't know where her behavior came from. No one in my family is crazy!!"

Tears welled up in Avalon's eyes. "My own mother…I cannot believe I just heard this conversation, I shan't stay longer than tonight!!" she whispered to herself as she gathered her belongings & ran up the stairs to her room, along the way, swiftly, & her tears puddling her shirt. Throwing her things down, she went through her drawers, grabbing accessories she would need, & clothes. Her boots, corsets, peasant shirts, & she took the only dress that was 1700's material. She had bought it an Artisan fair for Halloween one year. It was her favorite. Packing her bag was honestly the hardest thing to do, even though she was going way from the hurt.

Later that night, her mother called for dinner, at about 6p.m. So far, everything was running perfectly. No favors were asked, no visitors came. Nothing stood in her way. "Are you ok Avalon, you're quiet." Avalon slowly looked up from her plate, where she was neatly cutting her steak, then met her mother's eyes. "I'm always quiet mother. There's nothing to speak about. No one understands me to begin with…" her eyes never faltered, or showed any emotion other than seriousness.

Her mother looked at her, with an "innocent" look, knowing deep inside, that she'd hurt her own daughter. 'No one in my family is crazy.' came her thoughts. "Oh Avalon, that's not true. Go ahead, tell me about your day…" Avalon looked at her, raising her brow. She couldn't remember the last time she had heard that. She sighed. "Fine. I got to school, & everyone stared at me, jesting with me, like they always do. Then in second period, a damn football player tried "woo" me by mocking my speech, & even bowing. And after that class, his stupid anorexic girlfriend pushed me into the locker, on purpose mind you, & I got this beautiful cut that bled right through my gorgeous shirt. And as if that weren't enough, she called me a freak loser & a bitch. Oh, & at lunch, I sat by myself by the window, facing the ocean…shall I continue?!?!" Avalon looked at her mother, tears welling in her grey eyes, making them look almost silver, her right hand frozen in the air, in the middle of an extravagant motion.

Avalon's mother looked at her with a look that said nothing about sympathy, but everything about humor. She laughed, then passed her hand over her face as if to wipe her emotion. Avalon looked crushed, & was even turning red. "Oh I'm sorry…but Avalon!! High school drama!! Have you ever thought of joining the –" Avalon stood, glaring at her. "Oh mother…shut up!! You know nothing of my miserable life, & you don't care. So don't ask!!" she walked away climbing up the stairs to her room, her pirate boots making dull noise. She shut the door, & sat at her balcony, plaiting her hair in a herring bone, pretending it didn't phase her, but it did, & it took over her. Setting her hair back over her shoulder, she started crying into her hands. "I hate you mother!! And I hate everyone in my life. I wont miss a soul!! I swear, I wont!!" After a few minutes, she calmed down, & wiped her eyes, grabbing her hair, & finishing her braid, as she thought it would be easier to run without her waist length hair in her face.

When she finished, she tossed her braid behind her shoulder again, & took out her journal & pen out. She was to write her goodbye note:

Mother, I've been informed of your feelings towards me, & your unthoughtfulness. I've decided to get out of your way indefinitely. You wont hear of my "delusional mind" anymore. You shan't worry, since you never do. My best regards Mother.

Avalon Sealove

With that, she sealed the note with her sealing wax, took her belongings, & walked to her balcony, turning once more to look at her room. A single tear running down her cheeks. At her balcony, there was a tree she'd learned to climb. Swing her pack around her shoulders, she stood on her railing, & reached to the closest branch with ease, & pulled herself onto the tree. She didn't hesitate to climb down. She had no need to. And off she went, running quickly & silently, & hopefully be out of sight before she got tired. She got a good way passed her house, & had slowed, but was not passing the shopping plaza. She was hungry, but couldn't risk being seen by anyone "familiar". So she kept going.

Avalon was now passing through fields, & could see the cobblestone of historic Port Royal. Not that all of Port Royal wasn't historic, but the part she was living in had civilized. Her face lit up, seeing random people dressed in said attire. "This is where I truly belong…" she spoke softly, walking into the baker shop, the aroma of freshly baked white bread filling her whole being.

Approaching the counter, she let her bag slide to the floor, & a portly old man with a kind face was visible. "Can I help you miss??" her heart raced with excitement as she heard him speak. The man eyed her. "You're not from around here are ye??" Avalon smiled softly, & shook her head. "I live on the other side of Port Royal, & I decided to move out here. I couldn't stand their way of life. And yes, I'd like a whole loaf of that deliciously smelling bread please." She grinned, practically tasting the bread, her teeth a perfect line, & a perfect shade of white, contrasting nicely with her burnt rose lips.

The man nodded softly. "Sure thing Miss…" he looked at her, demanding her name. Avalon reached over the counter, extending her hand to him. "Oh, forgive my rudeness. I'm Avalon, Avalon Sealove, pleased to meet you sir." The man shook her hand. "Mr. Johansen, dear. I'll be back with that loaf of bread." And with that, Mr. Johansen disappeared into the kitchen. Avalon smiled greatly as she looked around, analyzing every intricate detail of the bakery. Her heart filled with joy. "Dear God, this is beautiful, more beautiful than anything in my wildest drams." She whispered to herself. "My prayers have been answered."

"Of course they have, lass. Here ye go." the jolly man handed her the warm paper bag with the loaf. Avalon took it, set it aside, bending over to grab some money. "How much is it sir??" she asked from the floor. The man looked over the counter at her. "It's Mr. Johansen, & it's on me dear." he smiled softly; Avalon stood, taking her bag over her shoulder. "I appreciate your kindness greatly, Mr. Johansen. I must be off now, it's getting late." She smiled at him genuinely, something she hadn't done since she could remember. Mr. Johansen nodded & waved. "Of course lass, don't ye worry about it." he smiled at her till she left, then returned to the kitchen.

Avalon walked down the street, happily eating small pieces of her bread, & watching random people walk by, dressed in historically accurate clothing. She fit in for once. No one would look at her weird, or talk nonsense of her. She sighed happily, looking around at the shops. There was the blacksmith, the deli, the library, the market, a hat store, well, she could go on. Along the way, she passed by a grave yard, & that was enough to stop her from going anywhere else.

Turning left, Avalon walked through the gate that said Destiny Graveyard'. 'What a name!!'. Avalon thought & put away her bread. She walked around slowly, looking at all the tombstones, & all the vaults. And straight ahead was the ocean. Oh how she loved the sea. Avalon decided to take this perfectly peaceful time to contemplate what she had just done. "Well, to begin with, I've just dropped out of school…I didn't think about that just yet, till now. I don't think I care much." she sighed softly, looking about still. "There's no one I'm going to miss since I had no friends. the only person I'll miss is my mother, & even then, she didn't care too much for me. There's nothing I left behind I will regret…so why do I feel like there's something missing??" she sighed again, running her fingers lightly over each tombstone as she passed by it.

For a few minutes, she just wandered. But then she began to cry. Silent tears running down her cheeks, which she didn't even bother to wipe, seeing as more would follow. 'I need some –' her thoughts were suddenly interrupted. "Yo ho ho, & a bottle o' rum!!" a man's voice flittered through the air, & into her years. Since when had someone else come in?? The man continued to sing, & she decided to follow it.

It didn't take her long to finally come across the figure of a man sitting on one of the more elaborate tombs. Was he dressed as a pirate?!?! He was!! He had a tri-cornered, worn out hat, a faded red bandana, dark hair a bit passed his shoulders, some strands in dreads, some in braids, & an assortment of beads. He also wore dark blue breeches, & pirate boots, similar to hers, that reached the knee, & what seemed to be a captain's jacket. From behind, he had a nice build, & hopefully, just as well from the front.

Clearing her throat, she walked in front of him. "& a bot – well hello there lass…" he grinned, revealing perfectly straight teeth, & a few random gold ones, which quite actually looked wonderful on him. Avalon smiled softly, & curtsied. "Good evening sir, I hope I'm not bothering you." He looked her over from head to toe, & back, seeing how incredibly beautiful she was. "O' course not luv." he answered with a rugged voice. She too looked him over. He had perfect features: dark, thick brows, chocolate brown eyes under lush lashes, high cheek bones, a perfectly straight nose, lips that oozed kisses, & a small goatee, his chin hair braided in two. And not to mention his nice tanned, chiseled chest, underneath a half opened, weather-worn pirate shirt.

"Are ye deaf luv?! I asked yer name…" he looked at her eyes, matching the moon, & she blinked, breaking her daydream, & she in turn looked at his eyes, how luring they were. "Oh…oh!! Oh, I'm so sorry!! Avalon, Avalon Sealove, pleased to meet you sir." she curtsied again, blushing softly. He grinned slyly, his hands moving in an extravagant motion, his back straightening. 'The pleasure is all mine, Miss. Sealove. And I…I am Jack Sparrow…Captain Jack Sparrow, mind ye!!" Jack stood & took her hand, very lightly brushing his lips against her skin. Avalon's heart fluttered, as she'd always dreamed of being greeting in such way, & especially by such a handsome man!!

"Well then, Captain…what is your vessels name??" Avalon smiled softly, motioning with her hand for him to move over, & she sat next to him, their legs brushing. Jack grinned, looking down at her, & he swung his arm around her shoulder, & to his surprise, she let him. "Well luv, me ship is The Black Pearl, the ship o' freedom, the fastes' ship in the Caribbean, I'll show ye someday, 'ow bout that, eh??" Avalon nodded, looking at his face, & letting him bring her closer to his chest. Biting her lip, she looked up at him. 'Dear me!! how handsome he is!! Wait…I, oh, no, he's handsome is all. I don't, I couldn't possibly…" Avalon thought to herself. She contemplated all her feelings, & finally decided she found him extremely attractive, & nothing more. She snapped back to reality, & her ears focused.

"An' tha' luv, tha's what a ship really is, & tha's what I think o' me ship!!" Jack had gone on a rampage on how a ship is more than just a mast & sails, but Avalon hadn't paid much attention. She smiled up at him sweetly. "Of course Jack…err, Captain, I agree with you, completely, ecumenically…grammatically!!" she laughed softly, for once feeling fully happy. Jack grinned down at her, noticing how she somewhat acted like him 'I don't know if tha's a good thing, she might run me outta business!!' he laughed to himself, then looked at her eyes. "They look like a stormy night at sea…" Avalon cocked her head to the side. "I'm sorry could you say that again, I didn't quite catch it." her hands folded on her lap politely, & Jack looked down at her, blushing lightly for the first time in all his pirate life. Jack inhaled slowly, & loudly, bringing his hand to his face, without touching his cheek, & waited a beat before standing up.

"Well luv, I mus' get goin', there's a storm blowin' in & I cant afford me ship ta be blown into smithereens, eh??" As he smoke, he leaned forward, bringing his face mere inches from hers, a mannerism he was quite used to doing when making a point. Avalon's eyes widened slightly, at the closeness of his face. The scent of rum rolled off his lips, & surprisingly, it excited her. The rest of him smelled like the sea, & like leather; a wonderful combination for a man such as this.

Jack grinned, gold teeth glinting softly in the moonlight. What a wonderful disguise of his embarrassment. Avalon took a quick breath, opening her mouth slightly. "But" she was cut off by Jack's long finger coming over her lips, his face close to hers again. He gave a quick, yet charming nod. "Ta!!" & with that he left, turning gracefully on his heel, the tail of his jacket swaying to the rhythm of his drunken hips. Avalon sat there, hands on the tomb, & almost holding her breath. "Will I ever see you again?? Captain Sparrow??" she whispered into the night, the slight humming of his sea chantey filling the air, & gradually fading, till she could hear it no more.

Getting up, Avalon picked her bag from the ground, & walked to the back of the graveyard. She sighed softly, choking back tears, as if anyone could hear her. 'What's wrong with me??' She thought to herself, & climbed over the short fence to the shore. How beautiful the ocean looked in the light of the moon. The moon which seemed to sleep in her eyes, now drowned in tears. Avalon buried her face into her delicate hands, & sank into the beige sand, & there she cried still. And there she cried till she slept.

In the fury of her crying, she hadn't noticed that her precious journal, bound in leather, had fallen from bag, right in front of the tomb she was sharing with Jack. And there it laid, Avalon's precious journal, wide open, with all its secrets shown to the world. And next to it, was the face of the tomb, & it read like this:

Captain Jack Sparrow

1735 – 1765

"Take what ye can…& give nothin' back!!"

Give all you have & take nothing back- as in put forth all your effort, & don't regret it.