A/N: I could only wish these were my characters...Enjoy!

Step to the left. Quietly now.

A maid! Duck behind draperies, careful not to make them move.

Quickly check for others before moving stealthily up the staircase. Third door on the right. Good.

Jack Sparrow, captain of the Black Pearl gently unclasped the latch and silently opened the door before him. He grinned as he entered the room undetected, reminding him of his younger days. Not that he was old, mind.

He studied his prey for a moment while her back was to him and her dangerous slapping hands balled at her side. Her hair, darkened from being inside too long, still somewhat glinted gold as it tumbled down her back. But he could tell in her pose it was who he sought. He braced himself then addressed her with a smirk on his face. "Is this anyway to greet your captain, luv?"

Elizabeth Swann's head whipped around. "Jack?" She was across the room and pressed against him before he realized what she was doing.

He stood still for a moment, hands to his side while she wrapped hers around his neck. Once he figured he wasn't going to be struck he reciprocated the embrace, allowing himself to even enjoy it, for a moment closing his eyes as he breathed deeply into her hair.

She pushed away slightly, moving her hands to frame his scruffy face. "Jack, you're really here!"

He grinned a glinty grin. "In the flesh."

Her right hand stroked his cheek. "So you are." She suddenly grinned cheekily and pulled him close again before enthusiastically kissing him everywhere on his face she could reach.

Inevitably their lips connected and the two parties froze then reacted, her lips moving softly against his until he gently responded. The kiss ended as quickly as it started as Elizabeth backed up to look at him from head to toe.

She smirked as she crossed her arms over her dress. "Same old Jack."

He smirked as he made a show of taking in her figure, deliberately lingering on her breasts. He raised a dark eyebrow as he met her eyes. "Put some meat on your bones, Lizzie?" When her eyes flashed in anger he quickly raised his hands. "In all the right places, luv."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and walked back to her looking glass. "With good reason, Jack."

He followed her, his boots muted on the fine rug. "Oh? Do tell."

She met his eyes in the glass. "I'm with child."

Years of practice kept his shock off of his expression. Instead he concentrated on the baubles in her jewelry box, letting them sift through his hands. "And the lucky lad who has fathered the babe?"

"My husband."

"Young Miss Swann has been busy it seems."

She reached out and grabbed his would-be plunder. "I was simply following my father's wishes. After you left and Will died I was left little choice."

He pocketed the necklace and the ring still in his grasp and flashed her an irritated look. "You told me to leave. I recall you screeched it."

She glared back. "I asked you to come back. I went to Tortuga and waited for you. I wrote you a note when I had to leave."

Jack shrugged with indifference on his face even as he seethed inside, because he knew it would anger her more. "I came as soon as I could."

Her glare turned lethal. "It's only eight months too bloody late." She studied his features as he maintained a blank look. "Why did you come? You had to know I was married since you found me here."

He turned to lean against the furniture, crossing his arms and boots. "I came to ask you to join me and my crew."

She looked at him for a moment before bursting into laughter, surprising Jack. "Are you insane? I have a life here, Jack. I am married to a stable land man."

"Who your father picked for you," he pointed out.

"Lord Benton looked past my shady reputation- caused by you, I might add- and offered me a life befitting of my status."

Jack snorted, opting not to point out that she was damaging her reputation by being with a male alone in her room much less the fact that she kissed a pirate. Twice. Instead he reached out and grabbed the necklace she wore. It was a simple chain with a simple ring. "Does your Lord Benton know about this item?"

Elizabeth snatched it from his grasp. "Not that it's any of your business but yes, he knows and he does not mind. He understands. He's a good man."

Jack sneered but didn't have a chance to respond as someone knocked on her door.

"Elizabeth?"

Her eyes widened. "It's Lord Benton," she hissed as she pushed at him. "Hide quickly."

Jack managed to tuck behind her dressing screen as the door opened, admitting Elizabeth's lord.

"Elizabeth, I thought I heard voices."

Jack could see him through a separation in the fold, a tall aristocratic man who would probably be considered handsome. He saw Lizzie smile briefly.

"Nonsense, Ben. You heard me talking to myself."

Benton stroked her cheek. "Are you almost ready for the party?"

Her smile wavered. "I'm not really feeling up to it tonight. My head hurts tremendously."

He put his hand on her shoulders and shook her slightly. "Don't be silly, Elizabeth. I'll see you downstairs in a few minutes."

She rolled her shoulders out of his grip. "I shall be down in ten minutes time."

Wonderful!" He grabbed her to him and kissed her fiercely.

Jack cut his eyes to look away and he looked back to see Benton pat her cheek roughly and turn to walk out of the room. He quietly walked around the screen, planning to stalk up behind the man but Elizabeth grabbed his arm to restrain him until the door was closed once more.

"You can not be seen!" she hissed. "You will hang for sure."

He turned to face her and forced himself not to reach out to touch her reddened cheek. Instead he relaxed his position and turned on the charm. "Come away with me, Lizzie."

She glared. "You ask the impossible of me, Jack."

He cocked his head and focused his kohl-lined eyes directly into hers. "One more adventure, luv. For time sake of old."

Her glare wavered into uncertainty. "Please don't do this, Jack. I beg of you to have mercy."

He swaggered to stand right in front of her. "Elizabeth, I told you when we first met you weren't made to sit home and be ordered what to do. Consider it at least."

Her eyes flew to her door as she head voices in the hall. "Yes. I need time."

Jack's smirk turned into a grin. "We are anchored within a small inlet a half mile north."

Elizabeth touched his coat, fingering the detail. "I know where that is."

"You'll come?"

"I'll think about it."

Jack calculated risks in his head. "I can wait no later than what's safe for my crew. We must be on the horizon by sunrise to lower our chance for detection."

Another sound caught her attention. "Jack, it is time for me to go. Be careful heading back." She paused and gave him a brief hug. "If I do not come to you promise you will leave."

He winked. "Crew over wenches, luv," he said then dodged her halfhearted swat. He went to her balcony door as she went to the bedroom entrance. "Elizabeth, I will see you again."

She turned and gave him a beautiful smile. "Goodbye, Jack."